Council Decision (EU) 2020/985 of 7 July 2020 on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community

Article 1

The Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community is 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 16 of the Protocol.

Article 3

In accordance with the procedure set out in the Annex to this Decision, the Commission is authorised to approve, on behalf of the Union, the amendments to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee set up in accordance with Article 9 of the Agreement.

Article 4

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

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

ANNEXSupplementary provisions

ANNEX Procedure for the approval of amendments to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee Where the Joint Committee is called upon to adopt amendments to the Protocol in accordance with Articles 6 and 7(2) of the Protocol, the Commission is authorised to approve the proposed amendments 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 sent to the Commission. (2) Before approving proposed amendments on behalf of the Union, the Commission shall submit them to the Council sufficiently in advance of the relevant Joint Committee meeting. (3) The compliance of the proposed amendments with the criteria set out in point (1) shall be assessed by the Council. (4) Unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority in the Council in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union object to the proposed amendments, the Commission shall approve them on behalf of the Union. If there is such a blocking minority, the Commission shall reject the proposed amendments on behalf of the Union. (5) If, in the course of subsequent meetings of the Joint Committee, 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 factors. (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) As regards other matters which do not concern amendments to the Protocol in accordance with Articles 6 and 7(2) thereof, the position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee shall be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established working practices.