Council Decision (EU) 2020/392 of 5 March 2020 on the conclusion of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia and of the Protocol on the implementation of that Partnership Agreement

Article 1

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia and the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia are hereby approved on behalf of the Union  ( 4 ) .

Article 2

In accordance with the procedure laid down in the Annex to this Decision, the Commission shall be authorised to approve, on behalf of the Union, the modifications to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee established under Article 9 of the Partnership Agreement.

Article 3

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 18 of the Partnership Agreement and in Article 16 of the Protocol.

Article 4

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

Procedure for the approval of modifications to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee

ANNEXSupplementary provisions

ANNEX Procedure for the approval of modifications to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee Where the Joint Committee is called upon to adopt modifications to the Protocol in accordance with Articles 5, 6 and 8 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; (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 transmitted to the Commission. (2) Before the Commission approves proposed modifications on behalf of the Union, the Commission shall submit them to the Council sufficiently in advance. (3) The conformity of the proposed modifications with the criteria laid down in point (1) of this Annex will be assessed by Coreper. (4) Unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority of the Council in accordance with Article 16(4) TEU 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 with The Gambia, including on-the-spot meetings, it is impossible to reach an agreement, the matter shall be referred once again 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 elements. (6) The Commission is invited to take, in due time, any steps necessary as a follow-up to the decision of the Joint Committee, including, where appropriate, the publication of the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union and the submission of any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision. (7) In respect of matters which do not concern modifications to the Protocol in accordance with Article 5, 6 or 8 thereof, the position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee shall be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established forms of practice.