COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2023/1074

of 25 May 2023

authorising the opening of negotiations for a protocol between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan amending the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part, as regards the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs, wines and spirits

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(3) and (4) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part (‘the EPCA’) (1) was concluded on behalf of the Union by means of Council Decision (EU) 2020/244 (2) and entered fully into force on 1 March 2020.

(2) Title III (Trade and Business) of the EPCA, which includes the provisions on geographical indications, has been provisionally applied since 1 May 2016.

(3) The EPCA obliges the Parties to commence negotiations with a view to concluding an agreement on the protection of geographical indications in their respective territories no later than seven years after the date on which Title III of the EPCA starts to apply.

(4) Negotiations should therefore be opened with a view to concluding a protocol between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan amending the EPCA as regards the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs, wines and spirits,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1.   The Commission is hereby authorised to open negotiations for a protocol between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan amending the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part, as regards the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs, wines and spirits.

2.   The negotiations shall be conducted on the basis of the negotiating directives of the Council set out in the addendum to this Decision.

Article 2

The negotiations shall be conducted in consultation with the Trade Policy Committee.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Commission.

Done at Brussels, 25 May 2023.

For the Council

The President

J. FORSELL

(1)  

OJ L 29, 4.2.2016, p. 3

.

(2)  Council Decision (EU) 2020/244 of 20 January 2020 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part (

OJ L 52, 25.2.2020, p. 1

).