EU/Morocco Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement: accession to the EU of Croatia. Protocol

The European Parliament adopted by 625 votes to 16, with 20 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Croatia.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the protocol.

Croatia joined the European Union on 1 July 2013. In accordance with the Act concerning the conditions of accession, Croatia has undertaken to accede to the agreements concluded or signed by the Member States and the Union with one or more third countries or an international organisation, including the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement with Morocco.

Croatia's accession to these agreements is approved by the conclusion of a protocol to these agreements between the Council, acting unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and the third country or countries or international organisation concerned.

The Commission negotiated the Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part. The Protocol defines the linguistic adaptations to be made to the Agreement by reason of the accession of Croatia.

By granting all EU air carriers non-discriminatory access to routes between the EU and Morocco, this agreement promotes competition on air routes between the EU and an important EU partner in the Mediterranean and will, consequently, improve connectivity. This Protocol will enable Croatia to enjoy these benefits in the same way as the other Member States currently do.