EC/China Agreement on Maritime Transport: accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol amending the Agreement on Maritime Transport between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and China, 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: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement on maritime transport between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and China, of the other part entered into force on 1 March 2008.

In accordance with Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of Croatia, Croatia is to accede to the Agreement by way of a protocol between the Council and China.

On 14 September 2012, the Commission was authorised by the Council to negotiate a Protocol amending the Agreement in order to take account of the accession of Croatia to the Union.

It is now necessary to approve the Protocol.

CONTENT: the Council seeks to approve, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol amending the Agreement on maritime transport between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the government of the People’s Republic of China, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.