Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

On 22 May 2006 the Council approved the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco^f1 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Partnership Agreement’) by adopting Regulation (EC) No 764/2006^f2.

The Union has negotiated with the Kingdom of Morocco a new Protocol granting vessels of the Union fishing opportunities in the waters falling within the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Morocco as regards fishing.

By Decision 2013/720/EU^f3, the Council authorised the signature of this Protocol, subject to its conclusion.

It is in the interest of the Union to implement the Partnership Agreement by means of a Protocol establishing the fishing opportunities and the corresponding financial contribution, setting out the conditions for promoting responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries in the fishing zone of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Protocol should therefore be approved on behalf of the Union.

The Partnership Agreement set up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of this Agreement. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the European Commission, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: