EU/Korea Framework Agreement: accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council adopts the act after consulting the European Parliament but without being obliged to follow its opinion.

BACKGROUND: under the terms of the Act of Accession, Croatia’s accession to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, is to be agreed by means of a Protocol to the Agreement through a simplified procedure.

On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned. The negotiations with Korea were successfully concluded and the Protocol was signed on behalf of the Union and its Member States.

The protocol should now be concluded.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Korea, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.