DRAFT

DECISION No …/2016 OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE SET UP UNDER 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

of …

with regard to the adoption of its rules of procedure

THE JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to 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 (‘the Agreement’), and in particular Article 10(4) thereof,

Whereas the Agreement entered into force on 1 December 2014,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Chairmanship

The Joint Committee (‘the Committee’) shall be chaired jointly by a representative of the European Union and a representative of the Republic of Cape Verde.

Article 2

Tasks of the Committee

1.   In accordance with Article 10(2) of the Agreement, the Committee shall, in particular, have the following tasks:

2.   The Committee may agree on recommendations containing guidelines or ‘best practices’ to assist in the implementation of the Agreement.

Article 3

Meetings

1.   The Committee shall meet whenever necessary at the request of the Parties and at least once per year.

2.   The Parties shall take turns in hosting the meeting unless otherwise agreed.

3.   Meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Co-chairs.

4.   The Co-chairs shall establish a date for the meeting and exchange such documents as necessary in time to ensure adequate preparation, if possible, 14 days prior to the meeting.

5.   The Party hosting a meeting shall arrange logistical matters.

Article 4

Delegations

1.   The Parties shall notify each other of the intended composition of their delegation at least seven days before each meeting.

2.   The European Union shall be represented by the Commission, assisted by experts from the Member States.

Article 5

Agenda for the meetings

1.   A provisional agenda for each meeting shall be drawn up by the Co-chairs no later than 14 days before the meeting. The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which a request for inclusion in the agenda has been received by either of the Co-chairs no later than 14 days before the meeting.

2.   Either Party may add items to the provisional agenda at any time prior to the meeting if the other Party agrees. Requests to add items to the provisional agenda shall be sent in writing and shall be accommodated to the extent possible.

3.   The final agenda shall be adopted by the Co-chairs at the beginning of each meeting. An item not appearing on the provisional agenda may be placed on the agenda if the Parties agree and shall be accommodated to the extent possible.

Article 6

Minutes of the meeting

1.   A draft of the minutes shall be prepared as soon as possible by the Co-chair of the Party hosting the meeting.

2.   The minutes shall, as a general rule, indicate in respect of each item on the agenda:

3.   The minutes shall also indicate the individuals of the respective delegations participating, with the ministry, agency or institution they represent.

4.   The minutes shall be approved by the Committee at its following meeting.

Article 7

Decisions and recommendations of the Committee

1.   The Committee shall take decisions by agreement of both Parties.

2.   Decisions of the Committee shall be entitled ‘Decisions’ followed by a serial number and by a description of their subject matter. The date the decision takes effect shall also be indicated. Decisions shall be signed by representatives of the Committee who are authorised to act on behalf of the Parties. Decisions shall be drawn up in duplicate, each copy being equally authentic.

3.   Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to recommendations of the Committee.

Article 8

Expenses

1.   Each Party shall be responsible for the expenses it incurs by reason of their participation in the meetings of the Committee, including staff, travel and subsistence expenditure and postal or telecommunications expenditure.

2.   Other expenses arising from the organisation of the meetings shall generally be covered by the Party hosting the meeting.

Article 9

Administrative procedures

1.   Unless the Committee decides otherwise, the meetings of the Committee shall not be open to the public.

2.   Minutes and other documents of the Committee shall be treated confidentially.

3.   Participants other than officials of the Parties and the Member States may be invited by agreement of both Co-Chairs and they shall be subject to the same confidentiality requirements.

4.   The Parties may organise public briefings or otherwise inform interested members of the public of the results of the Committee meetings.

Article 10

Entry into force

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

JOINT DECLARATION ANNEXED TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

In order to ensure the continued, harmonized and correct implementation of the Agreement, the Republic of Cape Verde, the Member States and the European Commission shall undertake informal contacts between formal meetings of the Joint Committee, in order to deal with urgent issues. They shall report to the next meeting of the Joint Committee thereafter about those issues and informal contacts.