COUNCIL DECISION

of 23 September 2013

on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Indonesia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union

(2013/486/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 207(3), in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) In May 2003 the Commission adopted a Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council entitled ‘Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT): Proposal for an EU Action Plan’ which called for measures to address illegal logging by developing voluntary partnership agreements with timber-producing countries (hereinafter ‘EU Action Plan’). Council conclusions on the Action Plan were adopted in October 2003(1) and European Parliament resolution on the subject was adopted on 11 July 2005(2).

(2) On 5 December 2005, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations on partnership agreements to implement the EU Action Plan.

(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005(3) established a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the Union from countries with which the Union has concluded voluntary partnership agreements.

(4) The negotiations with the Republic of Indonesia have been completed and the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Indonesia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’) was initialled on 4 May 2011.

(5) The Agreement should be signed subject to its conclusion,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing on behalf of the Union of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Indonesia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement(4).

Article 2

The president of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion.

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 23 September 2013.

For the Council

The President

V. JUKNA

(1)  

OJ C 268, 7.11.2003, p. 1

.

(2)  

OJ C 157 E, 6.7.2006, p. 482

.

(3)  Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 of 20 December 2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community (

OJ L 347, 30.12.2005, p. 1

).

(4)  The text of the Agreement will be published together with the Decision on its conclusion.