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

TA-10-2026-0329 · P10_TA(2026)0329 · PE786.891

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Parliament adopted its first-reading position on a proposed decision empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, done at Caracas on 1 December 1996. France asked for this empowerment on 4 February 2025 to strengthen cooperation with countries bordering its territories on the American continents on protecting marine turtle species. The decision covers matters of Union exclusive competence and does not affect French overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II to the TFEU or their waters. France must inform Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its accession, consult the Commission and stakeholders on positions under the Convention, and make its annual report under Article XI available to them.

Key points

  1. France is empowered to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, done at Caracas on 1 December 1996.
  2. France requested the empowerment on 4 February 2025 to strengthen cooperation with countries bordering its territories on the American continents on protecting marine turtle species.
  3. Some matters covered by the Convention fall under the Union's exclusive competence, so France needs Union empowerment under Article 2(1) TFEU; the decision is not an exercise of external competence for non-exclusive matters.
  4. The Convention aligns with Union policies on protecting marine biological resources and the environment, and is open to States on the American continents and in the Caribbean.
  5. French overseas countries and territories in Annex II to the TFEU and their waters are outside the Treaties' territorial scope for the matters concerned, so the decision does not affect France's rights or obligations there.
  6. French outermost regions in the Convention's area, such as French Guiana, face illegal fishing that incidentally captures large numbers of sea turtles; joining the Convention would facilitate cooperation with neighbouring countries.
  7. France must inform Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its accession to the Convention.
  8. France must consult the Commission and relevant stakeholders, in particular local stakeholders, on positions related to decisions, measures and recommendations under the Convention, and regularly inform the Commission when such decisions, measures and recommendations are adopted.
  9. France must make its annual report referred to in Article XI of the Convention available to Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
  10. The decision is addressed to France.

Who is affected

  • France: empowered to accede to the Convention and bound by information, consultation and reporting duties.
  • French outermost regions such as French Guiana: cooperation with neighbouring countries would be facilitated by joining the Convention.
  • French overseas countries and territories in Annex II to the TFEU and their waters: the decision does not affect France's rights or obligations there.
  • European Parliament, Council and Commission: to receive information on France's accession and the annual report under Article XI.

Figures and deadlines

  • 4 February 2025: date France requested the empowerment.
  • 1 December 1996: date the Convention was done at Caracas.
  • Article XI: provision of the Convention under which France's annual report is made.

Legal basis: Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.