Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2014)88 - Signing and provisional application of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement with Iceland, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the EU - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2014)88 - Signing and provisional application of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement with Iceland, to take account of the accession ... |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2014)88  |
| date | 17-02-2014 |
The attached proposal creates the legal instrument for the signature and provisional application of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Iceland, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Additional Protocol’).
According to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, Croatia shall accede to the international agreements signed or concluded by the European Union and its Member States by means of a protocol to those agreements.
On 24 September 2012[1], the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned to conclude the relevant protocols. Negotiations with Iceland were conducted in the framework of the negotiations for the adaptation of the Agreement on the European Economic Area for the period 2009-2014, in view of the enlargement of the European Union to include Croatia, and were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Additional Protocol.
The proposed Additional Protocol makes the Republic of Croatia a contracting party to the Agreement and commits the EU to providing an authentic version of the Agreement in the new official language of the EU. It also provides for additional fish trade concessions for Iceland, given Croatia’s accession to the European Economic Area.
Pending the completion of the relevant procedures for its formal conclusion and entry into force, the provisional application of the Protocol should begin as of the first day of the third month following the deposit of the last notification of the Parties to this effect.
The Commission has judged the results of the negotiations to be satisfactory and asks the Council to adopt the attached decision on the signature and provisional application of the Additional Protocol.