Council Decision (EU) 2022/12 of 2 December 2021 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the 22nd meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its Protocols as regards the adoption of a decision to submit a proposal to designate the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an emission control area for sulphur oxides (Med SOx ECA) pursuant to Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention)

The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf at the 22nd meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols shall be to support the adoption of a decision to submit to the 78th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization a proposal to designate the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an emission control area for sulphur oxides (Med SOx ECA) and to specify the date of entry into force.

In the light of developments at the 22nd meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, refinement of the position referred to in Article 1 may be agreed to by the representatives of the Union, in consultation with Member States, during on-the-spot coordination meetings without a further decision of the Council.

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.