PURPOSE: to conclude a Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part as regards matters related to readmission .

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/279/EU on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, as regards matters related to readmission.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with the Council Decision 2013/40/EU, the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, was signed on 10 May 2010, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The provisions of the agreement, other than those of Article 33 (2) concerning readmission, are the subject of a separate decision , adopted in parallel.

It is now appropriate to conclude the agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: by means of this Decision, the Council approves on behalf of the European Union, with the consent of the European Parliament, the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part as regards matters related to readmission.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall chair the Joint Committee provided for in the Agreement. The Union or, as the case may be, the Union and the Member States, shall be represented in the Joint Committee depending on the subject matter.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the decision enters into force on 12.05.2014. The date of the entry into force of the agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.

The European Parliament adopted by 543 votes to 96, with 31 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and South Korea, on the other part, as regards matters related to readmission.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Hubert PIRKER (EPP, AT) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, as regards matters related to readmission.

The committee called on the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement which endeavours to create a veritable readmission agreement between parties.

PURPOSE: to conclude the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and South Korea, on the other part, as regards matters related to readmission.

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: the provisions of the EU-South Korea Agreement relating to readmission are the subject of this separate Decision, on which the Parliament is asked to give its consent.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this proposal decision, the Council is invited to adopt a Decision aiming to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and South Korea, on the other part, as regards matters relating to readmission.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall chair the Joint Committee provided for in Agreement. The Union or, as the case may be, the Union and the Member States, shall be represented in the Joint Committee depending on the subject matter.

Territorial provisions : in accordance with Protocol No 21 and No 22on the position of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark in respect of the area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaties, these Member States shall not take part in the adoption of this Decision and are not bound by it or subject to its application.

PURPOSE: to conclude the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and South Korea, on the other part, as regards matters related to readmission.

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: the provisions of the EU-South Korea Agreement relating to readmission are the subject of this separate Decision, on which the Parliament is asked to give its consent.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this proposal decision, the Council is invited to adopt a Decision aiming to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and South Korea, on the other part, as regards matters relating to readmission.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall chair the Joint Committee provided for in Agreement. The Union or, as the case may be, the Union and the Member States, shall be represented in the Joint Committee depending on the subject matter.

Territorial provisions : in accordance with Protocol No 21 and No 22on the position of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark in respect of the area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaties, these Member States shall not take part in the adoption of this Decision and are not bound by it or subject to its application.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part.

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: relations between the EU and the Republic of Korea are currently based on the Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the Republic of Korea, on the other hand which entered into force in 2001.

On 7 May 2008, the Council authorised the European Commission to negotiate a new Framework Agreement with Korea. Negotiations with Korea were concluded and the text of the draft agreement was initialled on 14 October 2009. The Agreement was co-signed on 10 May 2010 in Seoul.

It is now appropriate to conclude the agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Articles 207 and 212, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Framework Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, is approved on behalf of the European Union.

The new Framework Agreement will allow the EU to assume greater responsibility and influence in the Korean Peninsula. By virtue of the new Framework Agreement, the EU will promote European values and enhance concrete cooperation in a wide range of areas of mutual interest.

Shared principles: the new Framework Agreement is a testimony to the importance of EU-Korean ties and opens a new era in bilateral relations, based on shared principles such as:

equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, respect for democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Strengthened cooperation: the draft Agreement strengthens political, economic and sectoral cooperation across a wide range of policy fields, including:

peace and security, conflict prevention and crisis management, trade, environment, energy, science and technology, good governance, tourism and culture, counter terrorism, the fight against corruption and organised crime.

It will further enhance cooperation on responding to global challenges, where both Korea and the EU are playing an increasingly important role, such as in the G20.

The conclusion of the new Framework Agreement is in line with the EU's objective of creating a comprehensive and coherent economic and political framework for relations between the EU and ASEAN countries.

Institutional aspects: it is envisaged to establish a Joint Committee consisting of representatives of the members of the Council of the European Union and representatives of the European Commission, on the one hand, and representatives of the Korea, on the other.

The Joint Committee shall be responsible for ensuring the good functioning of the Agreement.

Modalities for implementation: implementation is covered by consensus and dialogue. If, however, there is divergence of views in the application or interpretation of this Agreement, either Party shall refer to the Joint Committee. If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil its obligations under this Agreement, it may take "appropriate measures" in accordance with international law, having given prior notice to the Joint Committee of the reasons for the divergence and the possible modalities for mediation. In the selection of measures, priority must be given to those which least disrupt the functioning of the agreement.

Measures are also envisaged so that Parties may request arbitration in the event of a dispute.

Duration of the agreement: the Agreement shall be valid indeterminately.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal has no implications for the EU's budget.