Considerations on COM(2023)219 - Conclusion and provisional application of a Sustainable fisheries agreement with Madagascar and the Implementing Protocol thereto (2023-2027)

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(1) In accordance with Council Decision [XXX] of […]6, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Madagascar (‘the Partnership Agreement’) and an Implementing Protocol (‘the Protocol’) were signed on […], subject to their conclusion at a later date.

(2) The Partnership Agreement repeals the previous Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Madagascar, in application since 1 January 2007 and for a tacitly renewable period of 6 years from its entry into force.

(3) The objectives of the Partnership Agreement and its Protocol are to enable EU vessels to fish in Madagascar’s fishing zone and the Union and Madagascar to work closely together to further promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in that zone and in the Indian Ocean. This cooperation will also contribute to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

(4) The Partnership Agreement and the Protocol should be approved on behalf of the European Union.

(5) In order for the Partnership Agreement and the Protocol to enter into force, the Commission, as the representative of the Union, should follow up on the Council Decision and notify Madagascar of the Union’s consent to be bound by the Partnership Agreement and the Protocol.

(6) Article 14 of the Agreement establishes a Joint Committee responsible for monitoring the application of the Agreement and the Protocol. This committee has the power to approve certain amendments to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be empowered, subject to substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

(7) The Union’s position on amendments that are proposed to the Protocol should be established by the Council. The proposed amendments should be approved unless a blocking minority of Member States, in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union, objects to them.

(8) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2018/17257 of the European Parliament and of the Council and delivered an opinion on [please insert date],