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

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 and Article 31(1) thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91, Article 100(2) and Articles 207 and 209, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the second subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof,

Having regard to the joint proposal from the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2016/123 (2), 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 Agreement’) was signed on 21 December 2015, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(2) The Agreement constitutes an important step towards increased political and economic involvement of the Union in Central Asia. By strengthening political dialogue and improving cooperation in a broad range of areas, it will provide the basis for more effective bilateral engagement with the Republic of Kazakhstan.

(3) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 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, is hereby approved on behalf of the Union. (3)

Article 2

The President of the Council shall designate the person(s) empowered to give, on behalf of the Union, the notification provided for in Article 281(1) of the Agreement in order to express the consent of the Union to be bound by the Agreement. (4)

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 20 January 2020.

For the Council

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1) Consent of 12 December 2017 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2016/123 of 26 October 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application 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 29, 4.2.2016, p. 1

(3) The Agreement has been published in

OJ L 29, 4.2.2016, p. 3

, together with the decision on signature.

(4) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the

Official Journal of the European Union

by the General Secretariat of the Council.