PURPOSE: to allow Croatia to adhere to the Convention
of 26 May 1997, drawn up on the basis of Article K.3(2)(c) of the
Treaty on European Union, on the fight against corruption involving
officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States
of 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: the 2011 Accession Treaty of
Croatia has introduced a simplified
system for the accession of Croatia to the conventions (and
protocols) concluded by the Member States on the basis of Art. 34
TEU. It is no longer necessary to negotiate and conclude specific
accession protocols (which would have to be ratified by the 28
Member States): the Act of Accession simply state that Croatia
accedes to the conventions and protocols by virtue of the
Act.
To that effect, the Council shall adopt a decision in
order to determine the date on which these conventions shall enter
into force for Croatia and to make all the necessary adjustments to
these conventions required by reason of the accession of the new
Member State (which would include, in any event, the adoption of
the conventions in the Croatian language, so that these versions
can be "equally authentic").
The Council shall act on a recommendation of the
Commission, after consulting the European Parliament.
CONTENT: this proposal recommends the Council to allow
Croatia to adhere to the Convention of 26 May 1997, drawn up on the
basis of Article K.3(2)(c) of the Treaty on European Union, on the
fight against corruption involving officials of the European
Communities or officials of Member States of the European
Union.
N.B.: Annex I of the Act of Accession lists the six
conventions and protocols concerned in the area of justice and home
affairs.