On the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Croatia

(16837/2025 – C100031/2026 – 2023/0142(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the draft Council decision (16837/2025),

–having regard to the draft Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Croatia (08938/2023),

–having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 100(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C100031/2026),

–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 Transport and Tourism (A10-0177/2026),

1.Gives its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol;

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

The Protocol

The Republic of Croatia joined the European Union on 1 July 2013. In accordance with the Act concerning the conditions of accession, Croatia has undertaken to accede to the agreements concluded or signed by the Member States and the Union with one or more third countries or an international organisation, including the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement with Morocco.

The accession of Croatia to such agreements shall be agreed by the conclusion of a protocol to these agreements between the Council, acting unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and the third country or countries or international organisation concerned.

The Commission has negotiated the Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part. The Protocol defines the linguistic adaptations to be made to the Agreement by reason of the accession of Croatia.

Rapporteur’s position

The Agreement with Morocco was the first comprehensive air transport agreement signed with a non-EU partner of the Union. That Agreement is an important element of the Union’s external aviation policy and is one of several Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreements which the Union has since signed also with Israel and Jordan. The Aviation Agreement with Morocco has made it possible to nearly triple, in absolute terms, connectivity between that country and the Union.

By granting all EU air carriers non-discriminatory access to routes between the EU and Morocco, this agreement promotes competition on air routes between the EU and an important EU partner in the Mediterranean and will, consequently, improve connectivity. This Protocol will enable Croatia to enjoy these benefits in the same way as the other Member States currently do.

Based on all the above, the rapporteur recommends that the Committee on Transport and Tourism give its approval to the conclusion of this protocol.

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.