Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2010)705 - Conclusion by the EU of the International Cocoa Agreement 2010

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dossier COM(2010)705 - Conclusion by the EU of the International Cocoa Agreement 2010.
source COM(2010)705 EN
date 01-12-2010
On 25 June 2010 the United Nations Cocoa Conference 2010 formally closed following the consensus reached by the delegations on the negotiated text of the new 2010 International Cocoa Agreement, which will replace the International Cocoa Agreement 2001, as extended.

In view of the outcome of the talks and the substance of the new instrument, which reflects the position it put forward, the Commission considers the instrument of conclusion should now be deposited with the Treaty Section of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs in New York, having already presented the Agreement to the Council for signature and provisional application i.

As with the procedure for signing and depositing the instrument of provisional application of the Agreement, the main objective remains the promotion of international cooperation on trade in cocoa, which falls within the exclusive competence of the European Union. Accordingly, the new 2010 International Cocoa Agreement should be concluded by the European Union under Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Given that the Agreement is open for signing and deposit of the instruments of acceptance, conclusion and ratification with the depositary from 1 October 2010 until 30 September 2012, the Council is therefore asked to adopt this decision before that date.