EN Official Journal of the European Union L 297/1

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/2025

of 26 October 2015

on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 212, in conjunction with point (a) of the second subparagraph 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) 2015/575 (1), the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part (2), on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes (‘the Protocol’) was signed on behalf of the Union on 17 March 2015.

(2) The objective of the Protocol is to lay down the financial and technical rules enabling the Republic of Tunisia to participate in certain Union programmes. The horizontal framework established by the Protocol constitutes an economic, financial and technical cooperation measure which allows for access to assistance, in particular financial assistance, to be provided by the Union pursuant to those Union programmes. That framework applies only to those Union programmes for which the relevant constitutive legal acts provide for the possibility of the participation of the Republic of Tunisia. The conclusion of the Protocol therefore does not entail the exercise of powers under the various sectoral policies pursued by the programmes, which are exercised when establishing the programmes.

(3) The Protocol should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes is hereby approved on behalf of the Union (3).

Article 2

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 10 of the Protocol (4).

Article 3

The Commission is authorised to determine, on behalf of the Union, the specific terms and conditions applicable to the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in any particular Union programme, including the financial contribution to be paid. The Commission shall keep the relevant Council working party informed.

Article 4

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

Done at Brussels, 26 October 2015. For the Council The President F. MOGHERINI

(1) Council Decision (EU) 2015/575 of 17 December 2014 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes (OJ L 96, 11.4.2015, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 97, 30.3.1998, p. 2.

(3) The Protocol has been published in OJ L 96, 11.4.2015, p. 3 together with the decision on signature.

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