Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2016)620 - EU position in the EU/Switzerland GNSS Committee established by the Cooperation Agreement with Switzerland on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2016)620 - EU position in the EU/Switzerland GNSS Committee established by the Cooperation Agreement with Switzerland on the European ... |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2016)620  |
| date | 12-10-2016 |
1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
The attached proposal constitutes the legal instrument for authorising the Union position to be taken in the European Union/Switzerland GNSS Commitee (“Joint Committee”) established by the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes (the 'Agreement').
On 23 September 2013, the Council adopted its decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union and provisional application of certain provisions of the Agreement.
Subsequently, the Agreement was signed in Brussels on 18 December 2013 in the margins of the Council of the European Union. In accordance with Article 27(2) of the Agreement, it is applied provisionally from 1 January 2014.
Switzerland has ratified the Agreement on 7 July 2015, while at EU level the ratification is ongoing.
The Agreement established a European Union/Switzerland GNSS Committee for the management and proper application of this Agreement. The Joint Committee has to adopt its rules of procedure.
2. RESULTS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
Article 20(2) of the Agreement provides that the Joint Committee adopts its rules of procedure which shall contain, inter alia, provisions on the convening of meetings, the appointment of the chairman and the latter's term of office.
The attached draft rules are the result of negotiations with Switzerland.
3. LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL
The legal basis for authorising the Union position to be taken in the Joint Committee established by the Cooperation Agreement is Article 172 in conjunction with Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
In light of the above-mentioned negotiations the European Commission proposes that the Council adopt the Decision authorising the Union position to be taken in the Joint Committee in relation to its rules of procedure.