COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/837

of 6 May 2021

on the position to be taken by the European Union in the International Tropical Timber Council on the extension of the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 192 and 207 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (ITTA 2006) was concluded by the Union by Council Decision 2011/731/EU (1) and entered into force on 7 December 2011.

(2) Pursuant to Article 6 of ITTA 2006, the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) is the highest authority of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and consists of all the members of ITTO.

(3) Pursuant to Article 44(1) of ITTA 2006, that agreement is to remain in force for a period of 10 years after its entry into force, until 6 December 2021, unless ITTC, by special vote in accordance with Article 12 thereof, decides to extend, renegotiate or terminate it. Pursuant to Article 44(2) of ITTA 2006, ITTC may decide to extend it for two periods, namely, an initial period of five years and an additional one of three years.

(4) The ITTC will take a decision on the extension of the ITTA 2006 either at its 57th Session to be held in November 2021 or intersessionally without holding a meeting.

(5) The extension of the ITTA 2006 for an initial period of five years is in the interest of the Union, as the ITTO is still in the early stages of a financial recovery and in the process of reforming its financial architecture.

(6) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on behalf of the Union in the ITTC with regard to the extension of the ITTA 2006,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on behalf of the Union within the International Tropical Timber Council shall be to give consent or vote in favour of extending the International Tropical Timber Agreemement 2006 for an initial period of five years.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 6 May 2021.

For the Council

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1)  Council Decision 2011/731/EU of 8 November 2011 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the 2006 International Tropical Timber Agreement (

OJ L 294, 12.11.2011, p. 1

).