COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2025/1293

of 19 June 2025

authorising the Commission to participate, on behalf of the European Union, in the negotiations on an amendment to Article 1, point (a), of the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(3) and (4) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the ‘Convention’) was concluded by the Union by Council Decision 98/249/EC (1), and entered into force on 25 March 1998.

(2) Spain and Portugal have submitted a proposal pursuant to Article 15(2) of the Convention to amend Article 1, point (a), of the Convention in order to include the waters surrounding Macaronesia (Madeira and the Canary Islands) in the maritime area governed by the Convention.

(3) The proposed amendment aims to ensure a greater coherence between the Convention and the provisions of Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) which are already applicable in Macaronesia, thereby improving the coordination of the protection and conservation of the rich biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems of Macaronesia.

(4) That proposal for an amendment to Article 1, point (a), of the Convention is to be discussed during the 28th meeting of the Commission established by Article 10(1) of the Convention (the ‘OSPAR Commission’). Pursuant to Article 15(3) of the Convention, the OSPAR Commission is to adopt the amendment by unanimous vote of the Contracting Parties.

(5) Pursuant to Article 15(4) of the Convention, the adopted amendment is to be submitted by the Depositary Government to the Contracting Parties for ratification, acceptance or approval. Pursuant to Article 15(5) of the Convention, the amendment is to enter into force only after receipt by the Depositary Government of notification of its ratification, acceptance or approval by at least seven Contracting Parties.

(6) The Union should participate in the negotiations on the proposed amendment to Article 1, point (a), of the Convention during the 28th meeting of the OSPAR Commission.

(7) This Decision, which authorises the Commission to participate in the negotiations on behalf of the Union, concerns matters falling within the competence of the Union in so far as they may affect common rules of Union law or alter their scope. In the area of shared competences, Member States retain their competence in so far as the Convention does not affect common rules of Union law or alter their scope,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Commission is hereby authorised to participate, on behalf of the Union, in the negotiations within the Commission of the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the ‘Convention’) on an amendment to Article 1, point (a), of the Convention aimed at including the waters surrounding Macaronesia (Madeira and the Canary Islands) in the maritime area governed by the Convention.

Article 2

The negotiations shall be conducted on the basis of the negotiating directives set out in the addendum to this Decision.

Article 3

The negotiations shall be conducted in consultation with the Council Working Party on the Environment, which is hereby designated as the special committee within the meaning of Article 218(4) of the Treaty.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Commission.

Done at Luxembourg, 19 June 2025.

For the Council

The President

A. DZIEMIANOWICZ-BĄK

(1) Council Decision 98/249/EC of 7 October 1997 on the conclusion of the Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic (

OJ L 104, 3.4.1998, p. 1

, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1998/249/oj

(2) Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (

OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19

, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/56/oj

Directives for the negotiation of an amendment to Article 1(a) of the OSPAR Convention including the water surrounding Macaronesia (Madeira and the Canary Islands) in the maritime area governed by the OSPAR Convention

At the 28

regular meeting/session of the OSPAR Commission, the Union shall support the amendment to Article 1(a) of the OSPAR Convention jointly proposed by Spain and Portugal to include the waters surrounding Macaronesia (Madeira and the Canary Islands) in the maritime area governed by the OSPAR Convention.

The Union shall ensure that the amendment to Article 1(a) of the OSPAR Convention remains in line with Union legislation, including in particular Directive 2008/56/EC (1), Council Directive 92/43/EEC (2), Directive 2009/147/EC (3) and Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 (4). Coherence with the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 (5) shall also be pursued.

(1) Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (

OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19

(2) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7

(3) Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (

OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7

(4) Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869 (

OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1991/oj

(5) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 – Bringing nature back into our lives (COM/2020/380 final).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1293/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)