COMMISSION DECISION

of 29 August 2008

declaring operational the Regional Advisory Council for Mediterranean Sea under the Common Fisheries Policy

(2008/695/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 2004/585/EC of 19 July 2004 establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy(1), and in particular Article 3(3) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation transmitted by Italy on 16 May 2008 on behalf of Spain, France, Greece, Malta, Slovenia and Cyprus,

Whereas:

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy(2) and Decision 2004/585/EC provide the framework for the establishment and operation of Regional Advisory Councils.

(2) Article 2 of Decision 2004/585/EC establishes a Regional Advisory Council to cover the Mediterranean Sea.

(3) In accordance with Article 3(1) of Decision 2004/585/EC, representatives of the fisheries sector and other interests groups submitted a request concerning the operation of that Regional Advisory Council to Greece, Spain, France, Cyprus, Malta, and Slovenia.

(4) As required by Article 3(2) of Decision 2004/585/EC, the Member States concerned determined whether the application concerning the Regional Advisory Council for the Mediterranean Sea was in conformity with the provisions laid down in that Decision. On 16 May 2008, the Member States concerned transmitted a recommendation on that Regional Advisory Council to the Commission.

(5) The Commission has evaluated the application by the interested parties and the recommendation in the light of Decision 2004/585/EC and the aims and principles of the Common Fisheries Policy, and considers that the Regional Advisory Council for the Mediterranean Sea is ready to become operational,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The Regional Advisory Council for the Mediterranean Sea, established by Article 2(1)(b) of Decision 2004/585/EC, shall be operational as from 15 September 2008.

Done at Brussels, 29 August 2008.

For the Commission

Joe

BORG

Member of the Commission

(1)  

OJ L 256, 3.8.2004, p. 17

. Decision as amended by Decision 2007/409/EC (

OJ L 155, 15.6.2007, p. 68

).

(2)  

OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59

. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 865/2007 (

OJ L 192, 24.7.2007, p. 1

).