COUNCIL DECISION

of 7 October 2013

on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde on facilitating the issue of short-stay visas to citizens of the Republic of Cape Verde and of the European Union

(2013/521/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 77(2)(a), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a), thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Council Decision 2012/649/EU of 15 October 2012(1), the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde on facilitating the issue of short-stay visas to citizens of the Republic of Cape Verde and of the European Union (hereinafter ‘the Agreement’) was signed on 26 October 2012, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(2) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen

acquis

in which the United Kingdom does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2000/365/EC of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis(2); the United Kingdom is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(3) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen

acquis

in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland’s request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen

acquis

(3); Ireland is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(4) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(5) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde on facilitating the issue of short-stay visas to citizens of the Republic of Cape Verde and of the European Union (hereinafter ‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 12(1) of the Agreement(4).

Article 3

The Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, shall represent the Union in the Joint Committee established under Article 10 of the Agreement.

Article 4

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

Done at Luxembourg, 7 October 2013.

For the Council

The President

J. BERNATONIS

(1)

OJ L 288, 19.10.2012, p. 1

(2)

OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43

(3)

OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20

(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.