Changes from resolution motion to adopted text

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

– having regard to Articles 24 and 29 of the of the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (‘Judgments Convention’),

– having regard to Montenegro’s deposit, on 21 February 2025, of its instrument of ratification of the Judgments Convention,

– having regard to Rules 142(5) and 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on Legal Affairs,

A. whereas the statutory purpose of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (‘Hague Conference’) is to promote the progressive unification of the rules of private international law;

B. whereas the European Union became a Contracting Party to the Hague Conference on 3 April 2007;

C. whereas the Judgments Convention facilitates the effective international circulation of judgments in civil or commercial matters by providing legal certainty and predictability to parties involved in cross-border transactions and clarity as to whether and to what extent a judgment will be recognised and enforced in another jurisdiction; whereas by ensuring the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, the Judgments Convention should enhance access to justice by reducing legal time frames, costs and risks in cross-border circumstances;

D. whereas pursuant to Article 24 of the Judgments Convention, any non-EU state can accede to the Convention; whereas such accession creates treaty relations between two contracting parties only if neither of them has notified the depositary that the accession must not have the effect of establishing treaty relations with the other; whereas such a notification must be submitted within a period of 12 months after the date on which the accession was notified;

E. whereas the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference has communicated that the Convention will enter into force for Montenegro on 1 March 2026;

F. whereas under the current practice, the Commission does not initiate a formal procedure in accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU for conventions with a non‑objection mechanism, but only informs Parliament and the Council of any third country’s request to accede to a given Hague instrument;

G. whereas, according to well-established case‑law, international agreements cannot affect the allocation of powers fixed by the Treaties, and silence procedures at international level should not affect the EU’s internal decision‑making process;

H. whereas Montenegro deposited its instrument of ratification of the Judgments Convention on 21 February 2025;

I. whereas if the Union accepts Montenegro’s accession to the Judgments Convention, it will enter into force on 1 March 2026 and will be applicable between the Union and Montenegro;

1. Welcomes the positive assessments made by the Commission with the aim of establishing treaty relations with Montenegro in the framework of the Judgments Convention;

2. Supports the accession of Montenegro to the Judgments Convention;

3. Recalls that this resolution is without prejudice to the procedure provided for in Article 218(6) TFEU, which should be followed in matters concerning the establishment of the EU’s position regarding accession by third states to the Hague Conference Conventions;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council.