EC/Switzerland Agreement: free movement of persons; accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Switzerland, of the other, on the free movement of persons, regarding the participation of Croatia as a Contracting Party, following its accession to the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: the Protocol to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Switzerland, of the other, on the free movement of persons to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union was signed subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The Protocol should now be concluded on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

CONTENT: the draft Decision seeks the approval by the Council, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of the Protocol to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Switzerland, of the other, on the free movement of persons, regarding Croatia's participation as a Contracting Party following its accession to the European Union.

For details about the content of the Protocol, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal of 1.10.2013.