1999/405/EC: Council Decision of 10 June 1999 authorising the Kingdom of Spain to accede to the Convention establishing the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission on a temporary basis (IATTC)
Date: 1999-06-10
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Spain, accession to an agreement, fish, international convention

22. 6. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 155/37

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 10 June 1999

authorising the Kingdom of Spain to accede to the Convention establishing the
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission on a temporary basis (IATTC)

(1999/405/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia-
ment (1),

(1) Whereas

the European Community hopes

to
become a contracting party to the Convention
establishing the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Convention (IATTC) in view of the presence of
Community vessels in the geographical area falling
within the competence of that regional fisheries
organisation; whereas these vessels currently fly the
flag of the Kingdom of Spain;

(2) Whereas, in accordance with the rules in force, the
Convention establishing the IATTC only recog-
nises sovereign states as members; whereas the
Community is currently negotiating with the
contracting parties to the Convention the necessary
amendments to permit membership of regional
organisations pursuing economic integration, such
as the European Community;

(3) Whereas

of

the

accession

European
Community is unlikely to take place in the near
the
future; whereas it
interests of the Community fleet be represented
within the IATTC as soon as possible;

is however essential

that

the

lishing the IATTC on a temporary basis, until the
Community becomes a member;

(5) Whereas such an authorisation should be granted
as an exceptional measure, to meet unique circum-
stances, and should not set a precedent
in the
sphere of Community representation in inter-
national organisations in the fisheries sector or in
other sectors;

(6) Whereas it should be ensured that any decisions
taken by Spain within the IATTC are in line with
the Community position,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

to

Without prejudice
the European Community’s
exclusive competence in fisheries matters, the Kingdom
of Spain is hereby authorised to accede to the Convention
establishing the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commis-
sion (IATTC).

The Kingdom of Spain undertakes to denounce the
Convention on the date of accession of the Community
to that Convention.

Article 2

(4) Whereas the Kingdom of Spain should therefore
be authorised to accede to the Convention estab-

(1) Opinion delivered on 4 May 1999 (not yet published in the

Official Journal).

As a contracting party, the Kingdom of Spain shall
1.
participate in the decisions of the IATTC in line with the
Community position and in close consultation with the
Commission.

L 155/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 6. 1999

The Kingdom of Spain shall keep the Commission informed of the activities of the
2.
IATTC. The Commission shall subsequently report to the European Parliament and the
Council.

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Spain.

Article 3

Done at Luxembourg, 10 June 1999.

For the Council

The President

K.-H. FUNKE