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

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91, Article 100(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with point (a)(v) of Article 218(6) and Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2018/1599 (1), the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (the Agreement), was signed on 19 October 2018.

(2) Pursuant to Article 218(7) of the Treaty, it is appropriate for the Council to authorise the Commission to approve on the Union’s behalf the position to be adopted in the Trade Committee on certain modifications to the Agreement that are to be adopted by a simplified procedure. The Commission should be authorised to approve modifications to be adopted by the Trade Committee pursuant to Article 9.18 (Modification and Rectification of Coverage) as regards Annexes 9-A to 9-I to the Agreement, after consultation with the special committee appointed by the Council in accordance with Article 207(3) of the Treaty. This provision should not apply to modifications to commitments under Annex 9-E Part 2 to the Agreement. Furthermore, the Commission should be authorised to approve modifications to be adopted by the Trade Committee pursuant to Article 10.17 (System of Protection of Geographical Indications) and 10.18 (Amendment of List of Geographical Indications) as regards Annexes 10-A and 10-B to the Agreement.

(3) The Agreement should be approved on behalf of the Union.

(4) In accordance with Article 16.16 (No Direct Effect) of the Agreement, the Agreement should not confer rights or impose obligations on persons, other than those created between the Parties under public international law,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 The Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore is hereby approved on behalf of the Union. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2 For the purposes of Article 9.18 (Modification and Rectification of Coverage), the position of the Union on the modifications or rectifications of Annexes 9-A to 9-I to the Agreement shall be approved by the Commission after consultation with the special committee appointed by the Council in accordance with Article 207(3) of the Treaty. This Article does not apply to modifications to commitments under Annex 9-E Part 2 to the Agreement.

Article 3 For the purpose of Articles 10.17 (System of Protection of Geographical Indications) and 10.18 (Amendment of List of Geographical Indications) of the Agreement, the position of the Union on the modifications of Annexes 10-A and 10-B to the Agreement shall be approved by the Commission.

Article 4 The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 16.13(2) of the Agreement, in order to express the consent of the Union to be bound by the Agreement (2).

Article 5 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 8 November 2019. For the Council The President M. LINTILÄ

(1) Council Decision (EU) 2018/1599 of 15 October 2018 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (OJ L 267, 25.10.2018, p. 1).

(2) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.