Council Decision (EU) 2020/2000 of 27 November 2020 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles and its implementing protocol (2020-2026)

Article 1

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (‘the Partnership Agreement’) and the Protocol on the Implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (2020-2026) (‘the Protocol’) are 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 19 of the Partnership Agreement and the notification provided for in Article 17 of the Protocol.

Article 3

In accordance with the procedure and conditions laid down in the Annex to this Decision, the Commission is hereby authorised to approve, on behalf of the Union, modifications to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee established under Article 12 of the Partnership Agreement.

Article 4

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

PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS FOR THE APPROVAL OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROTOCOL TO BE ADOPTED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE

ANNEXSupplementary provisions

ANNEX PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS FOR THE APPROVAL OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROTOCOL TO BE ADOPTED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE Where the Joint Committee is asked to adopt modifications to the Protocol in accordance with Article 12(3) of the Partnership Agreement, and of Article 6 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 sent to the Commission. (2) Before the Commission approves proposed modifications on behalf of the Union, the Commission shall submit them to the Council in sufficient time before the relevant Joint Committee meeting. (3) The compliance of the proposed modifications with the criteria laid down in point 1 shall be assessed by the Council. (4) Unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority of the Council in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union 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 of the Joint Committee, it is impossible to reach an agreement, including on the spot, the matter shall be referred back 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 to follow up on the decision of the Joint Committee, including, where appropriate, publication of the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union and submission of any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision. As regards other matters which do not concern modifications to the Protocol in accordance with Article 12(3) of the Partnership Agreement, and of Article 6 of the Protocol, the position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee shall be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established working practices.