Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 212(1), in conjunction with Article 218(5) and the second subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 29 November 2012, the Council authorised the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to open negotiations with Japan for a framework agreement between the European Union and Japan.

The negotiations on the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part (‘the Agreement’) were successfully concluded in April 2018.

The objective of the Agreement is to strengthen cooperation and dialogue across a broad range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

The Agreement should be signed, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

In view of the importance of implementing the Agreement as soon as possible after its signature, parts of the Agreement should be applied on a provisional basis, pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its entry into force.

A declaration to be made by the European Union upon the signing of the Agreement will clarify that Article 47(3) of the Agreement is to be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Article 25 ‘Provisional application’ of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: