# Official Journal L 137/2020

| | ISSN 1977-0677 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | L 137 |
| | |
| English edition | Legislation | Volume 6329 April 2020 |

ISSN 1977-0677

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 137

English edition

Legislation

Volume 6329 April 2020

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| Contents | | II   Non-legislative acts | page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | REGULATIONS |
| | * | Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/582 of 28 April 2020d implementing Article 17(1) of Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic | 1 |
| | | DECISIONS |
| | * | Council Decision (EU) 2020/583 of 25 March 2020 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Trade Committee of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore on the interpretation, pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d), of Articles 10.17 and 10.22 of that Agreement as regards changes to the protection of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs registered in Singapore | 3 |
| | * | Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/584 of 28 April 2020 implementing Decision 2013/798/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the Central African Republic | 5 |

Contents

II   Non-legislative acts

page

REGULATIONS

*

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/582 of 28 April 2020d implementing Article 17(1) of Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic

1

DECISIONS

*

Council Decision (EU) 2020/583 of 25 March 2020 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Trade Committee of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore on the interpretation, pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d), of Articles 10.17 and 10.22 of that Agreement as regards changes to the protection of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs registered in Singapore

3

*

Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2020/584 of 28 April 2020 implementing Decision 2013/798/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the Central African Republic

5

| EN | Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.
  The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk. |
| --- | --- |

EN

Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.

The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk.

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II Non-legislative acts

REGULATIONS

| 29.4.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 137/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

29.4.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 137/1

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COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/582

of 28 April 2020d

implementing Article 17(1) of Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 of 10 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic (1), and in particular Article 17(1) thereof,

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

Whereas:

| (1) | On 10 March 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 224/2014. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

On 10 March 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 224/2014.

| (2) | On 20 April 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2127 (2013) added one person to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

On 20 April 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2127 (2013) added one person to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures.

| (3) | Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 is hereby amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 28 April 2020

For the Council

The President

G. GRLIĆ RADMAN

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(1)  
  OJ L 70, 11.3.2014, p. 1.

1

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ANNEX

In the list set out in Part A (Persons) of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014, the following person is added to.

A.   Persons

‘
  13. Martin KOUMTAMADJI (alias: a) Abdoulaye Miskine b) Abdoullaye Miskine c) Martin Nadingar Koumtamadji d) Martin Nkoumtamadji e) Martin Koumta Madji f) Omar Mahamat)

Designation: President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC)

Date of birth: a) 5 October 1965 b) 3 March 1965

Place of birth: a) Ndïnaba, Chad b) Kobo, Central African Republic (c) Kabo, Central African Republic

Nationality: a) Chad b) Central African Republic

Passport no: 06FBO2262 (CAR diplomatic passport) issued on 22 February 2007, expired on 21 February 2012

Address: Am Dafock, Vakaga prefecture, Central African Republic (last known location)

Date of UN designation:
  20 April 2020

Other information: Martin Koumtamadji founded the FDPC in 2005. He joined the Séléka coalition in December 2012 before leaving it in April 2013 after the rebels took power in Bangui. After being arrested in Cameroon, he was then transferred to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. He always remained in command of his troops on the ground in the CAR even when he was in Brazzaville before returning to the CAR (between November 2014 and 2019). The FDPC signed the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR on 6 February 2019 but Martin Koumtamadji remains a threat to the peace, stability and security of the CAR.

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC, an armed group engaged in violent activities), Martin Koumatamadji has engaged in acts threatening the peace, stability and security of the CAR and, in particular, the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR signed on 6 February 2019 in Bangui.

He refused the disarmament of FDPC combatants, as per his commitments as a signatory of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, and threatened to overthrow President Touadéra in July 2019.

He began cooperating with sanctioned individual Nourredine Adam (CFi.002) in June 2019 and engaged in arms trafficking with a close associate of Nourredine Adam, in order to build up the military capabilities of the FDPC.

He also made an offer to the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) to carry out a military operation with his armed group during the fighting in Vakaga prefecture in 2019.

He continued to impede the restoration of state authority in the areas of operation of the FPDC by maintaining illegal roadblocks to extort cattle herders, economic actors (including gold mining companies operating in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture), and travellers.

Under his leadership, the FDPC committed acts that constituted human rights abuses or violations in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, including attacks directed against civilians in April 2019, abductions of civilians in March 2019 (near Zoukombo) and acts of sexual and gender-based violence in May 2019 (in Bagary). In 2017, the FDPC also committed 14 acts of sexual violence in conflict.

Between 2016 and 2019, the FDPC recruited children to serve as soldiers in armed conflict and forced eleven girls into marriage with FDPC members.

In March 2019, he was involved in obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid when the FDPC, under Miskine’s leadership, conducted a series of attacks on the main road into Bangui from Cameroon.

Finally, FDPC elements skirmished with MINUSCA in April 2019 near Zoukombo (Nana-Mambéré prefecture) and on the Bouar-Beleko axis.’

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DECISIONS

| 29.4.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 137/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

29.4.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 137/3

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COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2020/583

of 25 March 2020

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Trade Committee of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore on the interpretation, pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d), of Articles 10.17 and 10.22 of that Agreement as regards changes to the protection of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs registered in Singapore

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 207(4) in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

| (1) | By Council Decision (EU) 2019/1875 (1) the Union concluded a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (2) (‘the Agreement’), which entered into force on 21 November 2019. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

By Council Decision (EU) 2019/1875 (1) the Union concluded a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (2) (‘the Agreement’), which entered into force on 21 November 2019.

| (2) | Article 16.1 of the Agreement establishes a Trade Committee which, inter alia, supervises and facilitates the implementation and application of the Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Article 16.1 of the Agreement establishes a Trade Committee which, inter alia, supervises and facilitates the implementation and application of the Agreement.

| (3) | Pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d) of the Agreement, the Trade Committee may adopt interpretations of the provisions of the Agreement. Those interpretations are binding on the Parties and on all bodies set up under the Agreement, including arbitration panels referred to under Chapter Fourteen (Dispute Settlement) of the Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d) of the Agreement, the Trade Committee may adopt interpretations of the provisions of the Agreement. Those interpretations are binding on the Parties and on all bodies set up under the Agreement, including arbitration panels referred to under Chapter Fourteen (Dispute Settlement) of the Agreement.

| (4) | Article 10.17(3) of the Agreement provides that the Trade Committee adopts a decision as soon as practicable after the procedures for protection of geographical indications in each Party have been concluded for all the names listed in Annex 10-A (List of names to be applied for protection as Geographical Indications in the territory of the Parties) to the Agreement, regarding the listing in Annex 10-B (Protected Geographical Indications) to the Agreement of the names from Annex 10-A to the Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Article 10.17(3) of the Agreement provides that the Trade Committee adopts a decision as soon as practicable after the procedures for protection of geographical indications in each Party have been concluded for all the names listed in Annex 10-A (List of names to be applied for protection as Geographical Indications in the territory of the Parties) to the Agreement, regarding the listing in Annex 10-B (Protected Geographical Indications) to the Agreement of the names from Annex 10-A to the Agreement.

| (5) | Article 10.18 of the Agreement provides for the possibility of amending the list of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs listed in Annex 10-B to the Agreement to be protected by each Party under Sub-Section C (Geographical Indications). |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Article 10.18 of the Agreement provides for the possibility of amending the list of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs listed in Annex 10-B to the Agreement to be protected by each Party under Sub-Section C (Geographical Indications).

| (6) | Points (c) and (d) of Article 10.17(2) foresee respectively an objection procedure and legal means that permit the rectification and cancellation of entries on the domestic registry so as to allow for the legitimate interests of third parties to be taken into account. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Points (c) and (d) of Article 10.17(2) foresee respectively an objection procedure and legal means that permit the rectification and cancellation of entries on the domestic registry so as to allow for the legitimate interests of third parties to be taken into account.

| (7) | Article 10.22 of the Agreement sets out the general rules regarding the protection of geographical indications listed in Annex 10-B to the Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Article 10.22 of the Agreement sets out the general rules regarding the protection of geographical indications listed in Annex 10-B to the Agreement.

| (8) | It is appropriate to clarify the manner in which the provisions of Articles 10.17(2) and 10.22 operate together. Specifically, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between the level of protection established under Article 10.22 of the Agreement, and the system for the registration and protection of geographical indications established by each Party under Article 10.17 of the Agreement upon the entry into force of the Agreement. This should be done through the adoption of a binding interpretation. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

It is appropriate to clarify the manner in which the provisions of Articles 10.17(2) and 10.22 operate together. Specifically, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between the level of protection established under Article 10.22 of the Agreement, and the system for the registration and protection of geographical indications established by each Party under Article 10.17 of the Agreement upon the entry into force of the Agreement. This should be done through the adoption of a binding interpretation.

| (9) | To ensure clarity and legal coherence, that binding interpretation should state that any changes to the protection of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs registered in Singapore and listed or to be listed in Annex 10-B to the Agreement, made on grounds that either fall within the scope of Article 10.22(5) of the Agreement or fall outside the general rules enshrined in the other paragraphs of Article 10.22 and that are requested through the system for the registration and protection of geographical indications referred to in Article 10.17 of the Agreement may not take place unless there is a positive decision of the Trade Committee regarding the corresponding amendment of Annex 10-B to the Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

To ensure clarity and legal coherence, that binding interpretation should state that any changes to the protection of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs registered in Singapore and listed or to be listed in Annex 10-B to the Agreement, made on grounds that either fall within the scope of Article 10.22(5) of the Agreement or fall outside the general rules enshrined in the other paragraphs of Article 10.22 and that are requested through the system for the registration and protection of geographical indications referred to in Article 10.17 of the Agreement may not take place unless there is a positive decision of the Trade Committee regarding the corresponding amendment of Annex 10-B to the Agreement.

| (10) | It is foreseen that the Trade Committee will adopt a decision regarding the interpretation, pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d), of Articles 10.17 and 10.22(5) of the Agreement during its first meeting or by written procedure. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

It is foreseen that the Trade Committee will adopt a decision regarding the interpretation, pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d), of Articles 10.17 and 10.22(5) of the Agreement during its first meeting or by written procedure.

| (11) | It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Trade Committee, as the decision of the Trade Committee will be binding on the Union, |
| --- | --- |

(11)

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Trade Committee, as the decision of the Trade Committee will be binding on the Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf either in the first meeting of the Trade Committee established under the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (‘the Agreement’) or in writing upon entry into force of the Agreement, regarding the interpretation, pursuant to Article 16.1(4)(d), of Articles 10.17 and 10.22 of the Agreement as regards changes to the protection of geographical indications for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs registered in Singapore shall be based on the draft Decision of that Trade Committee (3).

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 25 March 2020.

For the Council

The President

A. METELKO-ZGOMBIĆ

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(1)  Council Decision (EU) 2019/1875 of 8 November 2019 on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (OJ L 294, 14.11.2019, p. 1).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 294, 14.11.2019, p. 3.

2

(3)  See document ST 6568/20 on http://register.consilium.europa.eu

3

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| 29.4.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 137/5 |
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29.4.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 137/5

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COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2020/584

of 28 April 2020

implementing Decision 2013/798/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the Central African Republic

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2013/798/CFSP of 23 December 2013 concerning restrictive measures against the Central African Republic (1), and in particular Article 2c thereof,

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

Whereas:

| (1) | On 23 December 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/798/CFSP. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

On 23 December 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/798/CFSP.

| (2) | On 20 April 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2127 (2013) added one person to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

On 20 April 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2127 (2013) added one person to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures.

| (3) | The Annex to Decision 2013/798/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The Annex to Decision 2013/798/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Annex to Decision 2013/798/CFSP is hereby amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 28 April 2020.

For the Council

The President

G. GRLIĆ RADMAN

---

(1)  
  OJ L 352, 24.12.2013, p. 51.

1

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ANNEX

In the list set out in Part A (Persons) of the Annex to Decision 2013/798/CFSP, the following person is added to:

A.   Persons

| ‘13. | Martin KOUMTAMADJI (alias: a) Abdoulaye Miskine b) Abdoullaye Miskine c) Martin Nadingar Koumtamadji d) Martin Nkoumtamadji e) Martin Koumta Madji f) Omar Mahamat) |
| --- | --- |

‘13.

Designation: President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC)

Date of birth: a) 5 October 1965 b) 3 March 1965

Place of birth: a) Ndïnaba, Chad b) Kobo, Central African Republic (c) Kabo, Central African Republic

Nationality: a) Chad b) Central African Republic

Passport no: 06FBO2262 (CAR diplomatic passport) issued on 22 February 2007, expired on 21 February 2012

Address: Am Dafock, Vakaga prefecture, Central African Republic (last known location)

Date of UN designation:
  20 April 2020

Other information: Martin Koumtamadji founded the FDPC in 2005. He joined the Séléka coalition in December 2012 before leaving it in April 2013 after the rebels took power in Bangui. After being arrested in Cameroon, he was then transferred to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. He always remained in command of his troops on the ground in the CAR even when he was in Brazzaville before returning to the CAR (between November 2014 and 2019). The FDPC signed the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR on 6 February 2019 but Martin Koumtamadji remains a threat to the peace, stability and security of the CAR.

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC, an armed group engaged in violent activities), Martin Koumatamadji has engaged in acts threatening the peace, stability and security of the CAR and, in particular, the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR signed on 6 February 2019 in Bangui.

He refused the disarmament of FDPC combatants, as per his commitments as a signatory of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, and threatened to overthrow President Touadéra in July 2019.

He began cooperating with sanctioned individual Nourredine Adam (CFi.002) in June 2019 and engaged in arms trafficking with a close associate of Nourredine Adam, in order to build up the military capabilities of the FDPC.

He also made an offer to the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) to carry out a military operation with his armed group during the fighting in Vakaga prefecture in 2019.

He continued to impede the restoration of state authority in the areas of operation of the FPDC by maintaining illegal roadblocks to extort cattle herders, economic actors (including gold mining companies operating in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture), and travellers.

Under his leadership, the FDPC committed acts that constituted human rights abuses or violations in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, including attacks directed against civilians in April 2019, abductions of civilians in March 2019 (near Zoukombo) and acts of sexual and gender-based violence in May 2019 (in Bagary). In 2017, the FDPC also committed 14 acts of sexual violence in conflict.

Between 2016 and 2019, the FDPC recruited children to serve as soldiers in armed conflict and forced eleven girls into marriage with FDPC members.

In March 2019, he was involved in obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid when the FDPC, under Miskine’s leadership, conducted a series of attacks on the main road into Bangui from Cameroon.

Finally, FDPC elements skirmished with MINUSCA in April 2019 near Zoukombo (Nana-Mambéré prefecture) and on the Bouar-Beleko axis.’

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