# L_2023092EN.01000801.xml

| 30.3.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 92/8 |
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30.3.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 92/8

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COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2023/701

of 21 March 2023

on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union in the Joint Consultative Working Group established by the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community as regards the amendment of its rules of procedure

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 50(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

| (1) | The Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (‘the Withdrawal Agreement’) was concluded by Council Decision (EU) 2020/135 (1) and entered into force on 1 February 2020. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (‘the Protocol’) forms an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement, pursuant to Article 182 thereof. |
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(1)

The Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (‘the Withdrawal Agreement’) was concluded by Council Decision (EU) 2020/135 (1) and entered into force on 1 February 2020. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (‘the Protocol’) forms an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement, pursuant to Article 182 thereof.

| (2) | The Joint Consultative Working Group (‘the working group’) was established by Article 15(1) of the Protocol to serve as a forum for the exchange of information and mutual consultation on the implementation of the Protocol. |
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(2)

The Joint Consultative Working Group (‘the working group’) was established by Article 15(1) of the Protocol to serve as a forum for the exchange of information and mutual consultation on the implementation of the Protocol.

| (3) | Pursuant to Article 15(2) of the Protocol, the working group is composed of representatives of the Union and the United Kingdom and is to carry out its functions under the supervision of the Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol, established by Article 165(1), point (c), of the Withdrawal Agreement, to which it reports. |
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(3)

Pursuant to Article 15(2) of the Protocol, the working group is composed of representatives of the Union and the United Kingdom and is to carry out its functions under the supervision of the Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol, established by Article 165(1), point (c), of the Withdrawal Agreement, to which it reports.

| (4) | Pursuant to Article 15(6) of the Protocol, the working group is to adopt its own rules of procedure by mutual consent. The working group adopted its own rules of procedure at its first meeting on 29 January 2021 (‘the Rules of Procedure’). |
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(4)

Pursuant to Article 15(6) of the Protocol, the working group is to adopt its own rules of procedure by mutual consent. The working group adopted its own rules of procedure at its first meeting on 29 January 2021 (‘the Rules of Procedure’).

| (5) | It is necessary to amend the Rules of Procedure to allow the working group to be supported by structured sub-groups in order to improve the manner in which the working group carries out its tasks as defined in Article 15 of the Protocol. |
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(5)

It is necessary to amend the Rules of Procedure to allow the working group to be supported by structured sub-groups in order to improve the manner in which the working group carries out its tasks as defined in Article 15 of the Protocol.

| (6) | It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the working group concerning the amendment of the Rules of Procedure. |
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(6)

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the working group concerning the amendment of the Rules of Procedure.

| (7) | In order to allow for the prompt application of the measures provided for in this Decision, this Decision should enter into force on the date of its adoption, |
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(7)

In order to allow for the prompt application of the measures provided for in this Decision, this Decision should enter into force on the date of its adoption,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be adopted on the Union’s behalf within the Joint Consultative Working Group established by Article 15(1) of the Protocol (‘the working group’), on a decision amending the rules of procedure of the working group, is set out in the draft Decision of the working group attached to this Decision.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 21 March 2023.

For the Council

The President

J. ROSWALL

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(1)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/135 of 30 January 2020 on the conclusion of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 29, 31.1.2020, p. 1).

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