COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2020/1111

of 20 July 2020

on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 10 September 2010, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the Government of the People’s Republic of China for an Agreement on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications. The negotiations were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications (‘the Agreement’).

(2) The Agreement seeks to obtain the highest possible level of protection for geographical indications and to provide instruments to counter deceptive practices and wrongful uses of geographical indications.

(3) The Agreement should be signed on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing on behalf of the Union of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement (1).

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 20 July 2020.

For the Council

The President

J. KLOECKNER

(1)  The text of the Agreement will be published together with the decision on its conclusion.