COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2020/457

of 27 March 2020

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the International Grains Council concerning the accession of the Republic of Serbia to the Grains Trade Convention, 1995

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(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Grains Trade Convention, 1995 (‘the Convention’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision 96/88/EC (1) and entered into force on 1 July 1995. The Convention was concluded for a period of three years.

(2) Pursuant to Article 33 of the Convention, the International Grains Council is able to extend the Convention for successive periods not exceeding two years on each occasion. Since its conclusion, the Convention has regularly been extended for further periods of two years. The Convention was last extended by decision of the International Grains Council on 10 June 2019 (2) and remains in force until 30 June 2021.

(3) Pursuant to Article 27(2) of the Convention, it is open for accession by the Governments of all States upon such conditions as the International Grains Council considers appropriate.

(4) On 1 March 2012, the European Council granted candidate status to Serbia.

(5) On 23 January 2020, the Republic of Serbia formally applied for accession to the Convention.

(6) The Republic of Serbia is a major producer of cereals, in particular maize.

(7) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the International Grains Council as the accession of Serbia is in the interest of the Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the International Grains Council shall be to approve the accession of the Republic of Serbia to the Grains Trade Convention, 1995.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 27 March 2020.

For the Council

The President

A. METELKO-ZGOMBIĆ

(1)  Council Decision 96/88/EC of 19 December 1995 concerning the approval by the European Community of the Grains Trade Convention and the Food Aid Convention, constituting the International Grains Agreement 1995 (

OJ L 21, 27.1.1996, p. 47

).

(2)  Council Decision (EU) 2019/813 of 17 May 2019 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the International Grains Council with respect to the extension of the Grains Trade Convention, 1995 (

OJ L 133, 21.5.2019, p. 19

).