On the draft Council decision on the accession of Niue to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Pacific States, of the other part

(07920/2024 – C100054/2024 – 2024/0010(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the draft Council decision (07920/2024),

–having regard to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Pacific States, of the other part,

–having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 207(4), first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C100054/2024),

–having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4) and Rule 117(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade (A10-0024/2024),

1.Gives its consent to Niue’s accession to the agreement;

2.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of Niue.

Niue benefits from standard GSP arrangement that grants it duty elimination or reductions for about 66% of all EU tariff lines. In order to benefit from full duty-free-quota-free access to the EU market and the wider opportunities of the Agreement, Niue would need to accede to the interim EPA between the EU and the Pacific States.

Your rapporteur supports the economic integration of the Pacific States and welcomes the accession of Niue to the iEPA as this will be beneficial for the region as well as for trade relations with the European Union. The accession will also help supporting Niue on its path to sustainable economic growth.