The European Parliament adopted by 608 votes to 6, with 82 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a 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, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union.

Following the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, was signed on 17 July 1995. It entered into force on 1 March 1998.

On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned by reason of the accession of Croatia to the EU. Negotiations with Tunisia were concluded on 11 May 2018.

By means of this Protocol, Croatia will be incorporated as a party to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States and Tunisia.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of Croatia's accession to the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: in its Act of Accession, Croatia has undertaken to accede to the international agreements already signed or concluded by the European Union and its Member States by means of a protocol to those agreements

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, was signed in Brussels on 17 July 1995. It entered into force on 1 March 1998.

The Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned, in order to conclude the relevant protocols. The negotiations with the Republic of Tunisia were successfully concluded on 11 May 2018.

The Commission was satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Commission invites the Council to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.