EC/Mexico Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement: accession of Bulgaria and Romania. Protocol

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Helmuth MARKOV (GUE/NGL, DE) making one amendment to the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a Second Additional Protocol to the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union.

The amendment in question seeks to modify the procedure of adoption of the protocol itself. Parliament felt that the agreement should be approved using the same procedure as was used to approve the main agreement. The Commission was proposing to conclude the Additional Protocol on a legal basis different to that used as a legal basis for the Main Agreement.

As a result, Parliament proposes replacing the first citation of the decision so that the amending PCA protocol is approved according to the assent procedure (in accordance with Article 300 (3) TEC) thereby requiring the assent of Parliament instead of simple consultation.