The European Parliament adopted by 623 votes to 26, with 39 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania.

In line with the recommendation made by the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

The Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco was signed on 12 December 2006. Parliament gave its consent to its conclusion on 24 October 2017. In order to take account of the amendments introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, the Council decided to consult Parliament again for its consent.

The aim of the Agreement is both to open markets and to move towards an alignment of aviation legislation on both sides. It also contains provisions concerning bilateral investment on both sides of the Mediterranean.

The purpose of the Protocol is to allow Bulgaria and Romania to become a Party to the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco. The Protocol shall not introduce any changes to the substance of the Agreement. It provides for the necessary technical and linguistic adaptations of the Agreement that ensue from the accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution based on the report by Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT) and approved - under the consultation procedure - the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania.

The Committee on Transport and Tourism adopted the report by Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT) approving without amendment - under the consultation procedure - the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the Community and Morocco to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: in December 2006, the Community and Morocco signed the “Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement”. In January 2007 Romania and Bulgaria acceded to the European Union. In becoming members the two latter States agreed to accede to the Agreements and Conventions concluded or singed by the Member States. In order to simplify and speed matters up Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to these Agreements and Conventions can be adopted according to a simplified procedure.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement by approving the conclusion of a Protocol amending that Agreement. The Protocol provides for the necessary technical and linguistic adaptations of the Agreement. In summary, the protocol ensures the necessary replacement of provisions in the Aviation Agreement and relevant provisions added to the Annexes to take account of EU enlargement. This proposal forms part of the framework established by the Commission: “Developing the agenda for the Community’s external aviation policy.” On a final point, the proposal has no implications on the Community’s budget.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the Community and Morocco to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: in December 2006, the Community and Morocco signed the “Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement”. In January 2007 Romania and Bulgaria acceded to the European Union. In becoming members the two latter States agreed to accede to the Agreements and Conventions concluded or singed by the Member States. In order to simplify and speed matters up Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to these Agreements and Conventions can be adopted according to a simplified procedure.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement by approving the conclusion of a Protocol amending that Agreement. The Protocol provides for the necessary technical and linguistic adaptations of the Agreement. In summary, the protocol ensures the necessary replacement of provisions in the Aviation Agreement and relevant provisions added to the Annexes to take account of EU enlargement. This proposal forms part of the framework established by the Commission: “Developing the agenda for the Community’s external aviation policy.” On a final point, the proposal has no implications on the Community’s budget.