(1)

The European Union has set as one of its aims the promotion of the protection of the rights of the child, as stated in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union. Measures for the protection of children against wrongful removal or retention are an essential part of that policy.

(2)

The Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 (2) (‘Brussels IIa Regulation’), which aims to protect children from the harmful effects of wrongful removal or retention and to establish procedures to ensure their prompt return to the state of their habitual residence, as well as to secure the protection of rights of access and rights of custody.

(3)

The Brussels IIa Regulation complements and reinforces the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (‘the 1980 Hague Convention’) which establishes, at international level, a system of obligations and cooperation among contracting states and between central authorities and aims at ensuring the prompt return of wrongfully removed or retained children.

(4)

All Member States of the Union are party to the 1980 Hague Convention.

(5)

The Union encourages third states to accede to the 1980 Hague Convention and supports the correct implementation of the 1980 Hague Convention by participating, along with the Member States, inter alia, in the special commissions organised on a regular basis by the Hague Conference on private international law.

(6)

A common legal framework applicable between Member States of the Union and third states could be the best solution for sensitive cases of international child abduction.

(7)

The 1980 Hague Convention stipulates that it applies between the acceding state and such contracting states as have declared their acceptance of the accession.

(8)

The 1980 Hague Convention does not allow regional economic integration organisations such as the Union to become party to it. Therefore, the Union cannot accede to that Convention, nor can it deposit a declaration of acceptance of an acceding state.

(9)

Pursuant to Opinion 1/13 of the Court of Justice of the European Union (3), declarations of acceptance under the 1980 Hague Convention fall within the exclusive external competence of the Union.

(10)

Panama deposited its instrument of accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on 2 February 1994. The 1980 Hague Convention entered into force for Panama on 1 May 1994.

(11)

All Member States concerned, with the exception of Austria and Romania, have already accepted the accession of Panama to the 1980 Hague Convention. Panama has accepted the accession of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovenia to the 1980 Hague Convention. An assessment of the situation in Panama has led to the conclusion that Austria and Romania are in a position to accept, in the interest of the Union, the accession of Panama under the terms of the 1980 Hague Convention.

(12)

Uruguay deposited its instrument of accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on 18 November 1999. The 1980 Hague Convention entered into force for Uruguay, on 1 February 2000.

(13)

All Member States concerned, with the exception of Austria and Romania, have already accepted the accession of Uruguay to the 1980 Hague Convention. Uruguay has accepted the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the 1980 Hague Convention. An assessment of the situation in Uruguay has led to the conclusion that Austria and Romania are in a position to accept, in the interest of the Union, the accession of Uruguay under the terms of the 1980 Hague Convention.

(14)

Colombia deposited its instrument of accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on 13 December 1995. The 1980 Hague Convention entered into force for Colombia on 1 March 1996.

(15)

All Member States concerned, with the exception of Austria and Romania, have already accepted the accession of Colombia to the 1980 Hague Convention. Colombia has accepted the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta to the 1980 Hague Convention. An assessment of the situation in Colombia has led to the conclusion that Austria and Romania are in a position to accept, in the interest of the Union, the accession of Colombia under the terms of the 1980 Hague Convention.

(16)

El Salvador deposited its instrument of accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on 5 February 2001. The 1980 Hague Convention entered into force for El Salvador on 1 May 2001.

(17)

All Member States concerned, with the exception of Austria and Romania, have already accepted the accession of El Salvador to the 1980 Hague Convention. El Salvador has accepted the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the 1980 Hague Convention. An assessment of the situation in El Salvador has led to the conclusion that Austria and Romania are in a position to accept, in the interest of the Union, the accession of El Salvador under the terms of the 1980 Hague Convention.

(18)

Austria and Romania should therefore be authorised to deposit their declarations of acceptance of the accession of Panama, Uruguay, Colombia and El Salvador to the 1980 Hague Convention in the interest of the Union in accordance with the terms set out in this Decision. The other Member States of the Union which have already accepted the accession of Panama, Uruguay, Colombia and El Salvador to the 1980 Hague Convention should not deposit new declarations of acceptance as the existing declarations remain valid under public international law.

(19)

The United Kingdom and Ireland are bound by the Brussels IIa Regulation and are taking part in the adoption and application of this Decision.

(20)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,