# Official Journal L 413/2020

| | ISSN 1977-0677 |
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| Official Journal
  of the European Union | L 413 |
| | |
| English edition | Legislation | Volume 638 December 2020 |

ISSN 1977-0677

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 413

English edition

Legislation

Volume 638 December 2020

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| Contents | | II   Non-legislative acts | page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS |
| | * | Council Decision (EU) 2020/2000 of 27 November 2020 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles and its implementing protocol (2020-2026) | 1 |
| | | DECISIONS |
| | * | Council Decision (EU) 2020/2001 of 4 December 2020 appointing two members, proposed by the Portuguese Republic, of the Committee of the Regions | 4 |

Contents

II   Non-legislative acts

page

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

*

Council Decision (EU) 2020/2000 of 27 November 2020 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles and its implementing protocol (2020-2026)

1

DECISIONS

*

Council Decision (EU) 2020/2001 of 4 December 2020 appointing two members, proposed by the Portuguese Republic, of the Committee of the Regions

4

| 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

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

| 8.12.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 413/1 |
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8.12.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 413/1

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COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2020/2000

of 27 November 2020

on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles and its implementing protocol (2020-2026)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

| (1) | In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2020/272 (2), the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (‘the Partnership Agreement’) and its implementing protocol (‘the Protocol’) were signed on 24 February 2020, subject to their conclusion at a later date. |
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(1)

In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2020/272 (2), the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (‘the Partnership Agreement’) and its implementing protocol (‘the Protocol’) were signed on 24 February 2020, subject to their conclusion at a later date.

| (2) | The Partnership Agreement repeals the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (3), which entered into force on 2 November 2007 for a duration of six years and has been tacitly renewed and is therefore still in force. |
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(2)

The Partnership Agreement repeals the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (3), which entered into force on 2 November 2007 for a duration of six years and has been tacitly renewed and is therefore still in force.

| (3) | The most recent protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (4) was signed on 18 December 2013 and was provisionally applied from 18 January 2014. It expired on 17 January 2020. |
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(3)

The most recent protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (4) was signed on 18 December 2013 and was provisionally applied from 18 January 2014. It expired on 17 January 2020.

| (4) | The objective of the Partnership Agreement and the Protocol is to enable the Union and the Republic of Seychelles (‘Seychelles’) to work more closely together to further promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy, and enable the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in the Seychelles fishing zone and in the Indian Ocean, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector. |
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(4)

The objective of the Partnership Agreement and the Protocol is to enable the Union and the Republic of Seychelles (‘Seychelles’) to work more closely together to further promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy, and enable the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in the Seychelles fishing zone and in the Indian Ocean, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

| (5) | The Partnership Agreement and the Protocol should be approved. |
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(5)

The Partnership Agreement and the Protocol should be approved.

| (6) | Article 12 of the Partnership Agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Committee to be responsible for monitoring the application of the Partnership Agreement and the Protocol. Furthermore, the Joint Committee can adopt certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, the Commission should be authorised, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure. |
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(6)

Article 12 of the Partnership Agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Committee to be responsible for monitoring the application of the Partnership Agreement and the Protocol. Furthermore, the Joint Committee can adopt certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, the Commission should be authorised, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

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

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

| (8) | The Partnership Agreement and the Protocol should enter into force as soon as possible in view of the economic importance related to Union fishing activities in the Seychelles fishing zone and the need to reduce the interruption of such activities as much as possible, |
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(8)

The Partnership Agreement and the Protocol should enter into force as soon as possible in view of the economic importance related to Union fishing activities in the Seychelles fishing zone and the need to reduce the interruption of such activities as much as possible,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (‘the Partnership Agreement’) and the Protocol on the Implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (2020-2026) (‘the Protocol’) are hereby approved on behalf of the Union (5).

Article 2

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 19 of the Partnership Agreement and the notification provided for in Article 17 of the Protocol.

Article 3

In accordance with the procedure and conditions laid down in the Annex to this Decision, the Commission is hereby authorised to approve, on behalf of the Union, modifications to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee established under Article 12 of the Partnership Agreement.

Article 4

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

Done at Brussels, 27 November 2020.

For the Council

The President

M. ROTH

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(1)  Consent of 11 November 2020 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

1

(2)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/272 of 20 February 2020 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles and its implementing protocol (2020-2026) (OJ L 60, 28.2.2020, p. 3).

2

(3)  
  OJ L 290, 20.10.2006, p. 2.

3

(4)  Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (OJ L 4, 9.1.2014, p. 3).

4

(5)  The texts of the Partnership Agreement and of the Protocol are published in OJ L 60, 28.2.2020, p. 5.

5

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ANNEX

PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS FOR THE APPROVAL OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROTOCOL TO BE ADOPTED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE

Where the Joint Committee is asked to adopt modifications to the Protocol in accordance with Article 12(3) of the Partnership Agreement, and of Article 6 of the Protocol, the Commission shall be authorised to approve the proposed modifications on behalf of the Union, under the following conditions:

| (1) | The Commission shall ensure that the approval on behalf of the Union:






  (a) | is in accordance with the objectives of the common fisheries policy; |
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(1)

The Commission shall ensure that the approval on behalf of the Union:

(a)

is in accordance with the objectives of the common fisheries policy;

| (b) | is consistent with the relevant rules adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and takes account of joint management by coastal States; |
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(b)

is consistent with the relevant rules adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and takes account of joint management by coastal States;

| (c) | takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information sent to the Commission. |
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(c)

takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information sent to the Commission.

| (2) | Before the Commission approves proposed modifications on behalf of the Union, the Commission shall submit them to the Council in sufficient time before the relevant Joint Committee meeting. |
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(2)

Before the Commission approves proposed modifications on behalf of the Union, the Commission shall submit them to the Council in sufficient time before the relevant Joint Committee meeting.

| (3) | The compliance of the proposed modifications with the criteria laid down in point 1 shall be assessed by the Council. |
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(3)

The compliance of the proposed modifications with the criteria laid down in point 1 shall be assessed by the Council.

| (4) | Unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority of the Council in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union object to the proposed modifications, the Commission shall approve them on behalf of the Union. If there is such a blocking minority, the Commission shall reject the proposed modifications on behalf of the Union. |
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(4)

Unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority of the Council in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union object to the proposed modifications, the Commission shall approve them on behalf of the Union. If there is such a blocking minority, the Commission shall reject the proposed modifications on behalf of the Union.

| (5) | If, in the course of subsequent meetings of the Joint Committee, it is impossible to reach an agreement, including on the spot, the matter shall be referred back to the Council, in accordance with the procedure set out in points 2 to 4, in order for the Union position to take account of new factors. |
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(5)

If, in the course of subsequent meetings of the Joint Committee, it is impossible to reach an agreement, including on the spot, the matter shall be referred back to the Council, in accordance with the procedure set out in points 2 to 4, in order for the Union position to take account of new factors.

| (6) | The Commission is invited to take, in due time, any steps necessary to follow up on the decision of the Joint Committee, including, where appropriate, publication of the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union and submission of any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision. |
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(6)

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

As regards other matters which do not concern modifications to the Protocol in accordance with Article 12(3) of the Partnership Agreement, and of Article 6 of the Protocol, the position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee shall be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established working practices.

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DECISIONS

| 8.12.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 413/4 |
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8.12.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 413/4

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COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2020/2001

of 4 December 2020

appointing two members, proposed by the Portuguese Republic, of the Committee of the Regions

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the Portuguese Government,

Whereas:

| (1) | On 10 December 2019, 20 January 2020, 3 February 2020 and 26 March 2020 the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2019/2157 (1), (EU) 2020/102 (2), (EU) 2020/144 (3) and (EU) 2020/511 (4) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025. On 8 June 2020, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2020/766 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 1 February 2020 to 25 January 2025 (5). On 30 July 2020, the Council adopted a further Decision (EU) 2020/1153 appointing members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions (6). |
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(1)

On 10 December 2019, 20 January 2020, 3 February 2020 and 26 March 2020 the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2019/2157 (1), (EU) 2020/102 (2), (EU) 2020/144 (3) and (EU) 2020/511 (4) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025. On 8 June 2020, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2020/766 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 1 February 2020 to 25 January 2025 (5). On 30 July 2020, the Council adopted a further Decision (EU) 2020/1153 appointing members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions (6).

| (2) | A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Ms Cristina de Fátima SILVA CALISTO. |
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(2)

A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Ms Cristina de Fátima SILVA CALISTO.

| (3) | A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the mandate on the basis of which Mr Vasco Ilídio ALVES CORDEIRO (Member of a Regional Executive: Governo Regional dos Açores) was proposed, |
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(3)

A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the mandate on the basis of which Mr Vasco Ilídio ALVES CORDEIRO (Member of a Regional Executive: Governo Regional dos Açores) was proposed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The following are hereby appointed as members to the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2025:

| — | Mr José Manuel Cabral Dias BOLIEIRO, Member of a Regional Executive: President of the Regional Government of Azores, |
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—

Mr José Manuel Cabral Dias BOLIEIRO, Member of a Regional Executive: President of the Regional Government of Azores,

| — | Mr Vasco Ilídio Alves CORDEIRO, Member of a Regional Assembly: Regional Parliament of Azores (change of mandate). |
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—

Mr Vasco Ilídio Alves CORDEIRO, Member of a Regional Assembly: Regional Parliament of Azores (change of mandate).

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 4 December 2020.

For the Council

The President

M. ROTH

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(1)  Council Decision (EU) 2019/2157 of 10 December 2019 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025 (OJ L 327, 17.12.2019, p. 78).

1

(2)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/102 of 20 January 2020 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025 (OJ L 20, 24.1.2020, p. 2).

2

(3)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/144 of 3 February 2020 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025 (OJ L 32, 4.2.2020, p. 16).

3

(4)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/511 of 26 March 2020 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025 (OJ L 113, 8.4.2020, p. 18).

4

(5)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/766 of 8 June 2020 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 1 February 2020 to 25 January 2025 (OJ L 187, 12.6.2020, p. 3).

5

(6)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/1153 of 30 July 2020 appointing members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions (OJ L 256, 5.8.2020, p. 12).

6

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