EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 25.11.2015

COM(2015) 582 final

2015/0265(NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

The Republic of Korea is a country with capabilities in the space technology and applications. It is an active user of satellite navigation services in various sectors including transport, fleet management , science and geodesy.

The European Commission, on the basis of Council authorisation given on 18 July 2005, negotiated a Cooperation agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part( hereinafter referred to as 'the Agreement). The Agreement was then signed on 9 September 2006 pursuant to Council decision on the signing of 1 September 2006.

The signatory Member States of the European Union and the Republic of Korea have completed their procedures related to the entry into force of the Agreement.

In accordance with Article 218(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Commission proposes to the Council a Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement on behalf of the European Union after consent of the European Parliament.

Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania are to become parties to the Agreement by the conclusion of a protocol in accordance with Art 6(2) of the Acts concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania and of the Republic of Croatia respectively and the adjustments to the treaties on which the European Union is founded.

2015/0265 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part.

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 172, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament 1 ,

Whereas:

(1)In accordance with Council Decision 2006/700/EC of 1 September 2006 2 , the Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, was signed on 9 September 2006 subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(2)The Agreement is to encourage, facilitate and enhance cooperation between the Parties in civil global satellite navigation.

(3)The agreement should be approved on behalf of the European Union.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered, on behalf of the European Union to send the notification, provided for in Article 18(1) of the Agreement, in order to express the consent of the European Union to be bound by the Agreement and shall make the following notification:

'As a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union has replaced and succeeded the European Community and from that date exercises all rights and assumes all obligations of the European Community. Therefore, references to “the European Community” in the text of the Agreement are to be read as to “the European Union”'.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union 3 .

Done at Brussels,

(1) Consent given on […201.].

(2) OJ L 288 of 19/10/2006, p. 30.

(3) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.