EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 3.7.2025

COM(2025) 358 final

2025/0193(NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Union's approval of the amendment of article 36 of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.Subject matter of the proposal

The objective of this Council Decision is to approve the amendments of Article 36 of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives and designate the person(s) empowered to deposit, on behalf of the Union, the notification of acceptance of the amendment at the designated location.

2.Context of the proposal

2.1.The International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015

The Union is a party to the International Agreement 1  on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (‘the Agreement’) and a Member of the International Olive Council (‘IOC’). The Agreement entered into force on 1 January 2017 and shall remain into force until 31 December 2026.

2.2.The Council of Members

The Council of Members of the International Olive Council ("the Council of Members") is the highest authority and decision-making organ of the IOC and shall exercise all such powers and functions as are necessary to achieve the objectives of this Agreement. As a party to the Agreement, the European Union is a member of the IOC and is represented in the Council of Members. Pursuant to Article 32 of the IOC Agreement, the Council of Members can take decisions amending the IOC Agreement. In conformity with article 10(3) of the IOC Agreement, the decisions of the Council of Members concerning any amendments of the Agreement shall be taken by consensus.

2.3.The amendments to the Agreement

During the 119th meeting of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council on 25 June 2024, the International Olive Council (‘IOC’) adopted by consensus the amendment of Article 36 of the Agreement in order to allow the extension of the Agreement for periods of five years. The Union position in relation to the amendment of Article 36 of the Agreement was established in consultation with the Working Party on Commodities (PROBA).

3.Legal basis

In accordance with Articles 207(4) and 218(6) point (a)(v) of the TFEU, the Commission as the negotiator of the amendments to the Agreement should make a proposal to the Council to approve, after the consent of the European Parliament, the amendments to the Agreement.

4.Other elements

2025/0193 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Union's approval of the amendment of article 36 of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(6) point (a)(v) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1)The Union is a Party to the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (‘the Agreement’) which was signed on behalf of the Union in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892 2 on 18 November 2016, subject to its conclusion at a later date. The Agreement entered into force provisionally on 1 January 2017 in accordance with Article 31(2) thereof and was concluded by the Union by Council Decision (EU) 2019/848 of 17 May 2019 3 .

(2)Pursuant to Article 32(1) of the Agreement, the Council of Members of the International Olive Council (‘the Council of Members’) is to adopt decisions that modify the Agreement.

(3)The amendment of the Agreement was approved by consensus by the Council of Members of the International Olive Council during its 119th session in June 2024.

(4)Pursuant to Article 32(2) of the Agreement, each IOC Member is to notify the depositary of its acceptance of the amendments.

(5)The amendments to the Agreement should be approved by the Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The amendments to International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015, are hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the amendments is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The Commission shall, on behalf of the Union, notify the depositary of the acceptance of the amendments as provided for in Article 32(2) of the Agreement, with a view to expressing the Union’s consent to be bound by the amended Agreement.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Commission.

Done at Brussels,

(1)    Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892 of 10 October 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 293, 28.10.2016, p. 2) and Council Decision (EU) 2019/848 of 17 May 2019 on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 139, 27.05.2019, p. 1).

(2)    Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892 of 10 October 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 293, 28.10.2016, p. 2).

(3)    Council Decision (EU) 2019/848 of 17 May 2019 on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 139, 27.05.2019, p. 1).

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 3.7.2025

COM(2025) 358 final

ANNEX

to the

Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Union’s approval of the amendment of article 36 of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015

ANNEX

The International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (‘the Agreement’) is amended as follows:

Article 36 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 36

Duration, extension and termination

1. This Agreement shall remain in force until 31 December 2026, unless extended under paragraph 2 of this article or terminated earlier under paragraph 3 of this article.

2. The Council of Members may extend this Agreement for successive periods, not exceeding five years on each occasion. The Council of Members shall notify the depositary of any such extension. Any member which does not accept any such extension of this Agreement shall so inform the Council of Members and shall cease to be a Contracting Party to this Agreement from the beginning of the period of extension.

3. The Council of Members may decide on the termination of this Agreement by consensus. The obligations of the members shall continue until the date of termination as determined by the Council of Members.

4. Notwithstanding the expiry or termination of this Agreement, the International Olive Council shall continue in being for as long as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the liquidation of the International Olive Council, including the settlement of accounts, and shall have during that period such powers and functions as may be necessary for these purposes.

5. The Council of Members shall notify the depositary of any decision taken under this article.’.