Annex Scope of the empowerment and procedure for the establishment of the Union position in the Joint Committee

The Commission shall be authorised to negotiate with the Republic of Seychelles and agree, where appropriate and subject to complying with paragraph 3 of this Annex, on modifications to the Agreement in respect of the following issues:

1. (a)

   reassessment and adjustment of fishing opportunities in accordance with Article 9 of the Agreement;

2. (b)

   revision of the technical provisions of the Agreement and the Annex, including a review of the technical rules on VMS in accordance with point 10 of Appendix 6 of the Annex to the Agreement.

In the Joint Committee set up under Article 8 of the Agreement, the Commission shall:

1. (a)

   act in accordance with the objectives pursued by the Union within the framework of the CFP;

2. (b)

   be in line with the Council Conclusions of 19 March 2012 on a Communication from the Commission on the External dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy;

3. (c)

   promote positions that are consistent with the relevant rules adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

When a decision on modifications to the Agreement referred to in paragraph 1 is foreseen to be adopted during a Joint Committee Meeting, the necessary steps shall be taken so that the position to be expressed on behalf of the Union takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information transmitted to the Commission.

To this effect and based on that information, a preparatory document setting out the particulars of the envisaged Union position shall be transmitted by the Commission services, in sufficient time before the relevant Joint Committee Meeting, to the Council or to its preparatory bodies for consideration and approval.

If, in the course of further meetings, including on the spot, it is impossible to reach an agreement in order for the Union position to take account of new elements, the matter shall be referred to the Council or its preparatory bodies.

The Commission is invited to take, in due time, any steps necessary as a follow-up to the decision of the Joint Committee, including, where appropriate, a publication of the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union and a submission of any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision.