Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles

15.7.2026

PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT RESULTING FROM INTERINSTITUTIONAL NEGOTIATIONS

Subject: Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles

(COM(2025)0689 – C100300/2025 – 2025/0349(COD))

The interinstitutional negotiations on the aforementioned proposal for a decision have led to a compromise. In accordance with Rule 75(4) of the Rules of Procedure, the provisional agreement reproduced below is submitted to the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety Committee on Fisheries for decision by way of a single vote.

2025/0349 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,

Whereas:

(1) On 4 February 2025, France requested an empowerment from the Union to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles in order to strengthen its cooperation with the countries bordering its territories on the American continent ▌, ▌ in the area of protection of marine turtle species occurring in seas adjacent to the American continents and the Caribbean.

(2) Certain matters covered by the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles fall within the Union's exclusive competence. Therefore, Member States may accede to this Convention only if empowered by the Union in accordance with Article 2(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union for matters falling under the Union's exclusive competence. This Decision does not constitute an exercise of external competence by the Union as regards matters of the Convention that do not relate to an exclusive competence.

(3) The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles is in line with the Union’s policies in the fields of the protection of marine biological resources and the environment, in particular as regards measures for the protection and conservation of sea turtles. Since that Convention is open for accession to States in the Americas ▌, it is appropriate that the European Union empowers France to accede to it.

(3a) French overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II TFEU, and their waters, are outside the territorial scope of the Treaties as regards the matters of the Convention for which the Union has exclusive competence. Therefore, this Decision is without prejudice to any rights or obligations of France that arise from the accession to the Convention in respect of those countries and territories, and their waters.

(3a) Certain French outermost regions, such as French Guiana, that are situated within the Convention Area are exposed to illegal fishing activities which also result in large numbers of incidental capture of sea turtles. This requires cooperation with neighbouring countries in order to safeguard these protected species and ensure the integrity of their habitats, which would be facilitated by joining the Convention.

(4) France should inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the accession to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and consult the Commission and relevant stakeholders, in particular local stakeholders, on positions related to decisions, recommendations and measures taken under this Convention. France should also regularly inform the Commission on the adoption of those decisions, recommendations or measures. The European Parliament may invite the Commission to be informed on the decisions, measures and recommendations taken under the Convention. France should also make available to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, its annual report referred to in Article XI of the Convention.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

France is hereby empowered to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles.

Article 2

France shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the accession to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and consult the Commission and relevant stakeholders, in particular local stakeholders, on positions related to decisions, measures and recommendations taken under the Convention, and regularly inform the Commission on adoption of those decisions, measures and recommendations.

France shall make available to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, its annual report referred to in Article XI of the Convention.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to France.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President