Council Decision (EU) 2025/1436 of 8 July 2025 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union as regards the adoption of a decision of the Participants to the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits on interest rate provisions

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1436
17.7.2025

(1)
The guidelines contained in the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (the ‘Arrangement’), developed within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), have been transposed and thus made legally binding in the Union by virtue of Regulation (EU) No 1233/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council(1).

(2)
In accordance with Annex XII to the Arrangement, a Commercial Interest Reference Rate (‘CIRR’) is established for the currency of each Participant to the Arrangement. A CIRR, which is a fixed minimum interest rate that can be offered as part of a government-backed export finance contract, is composed of a base rate and a margin.

(3)
The Participants to the Arrangement (the ‘Participants’) used the London Interbank Offered Rate (‘LIBOR’) as a benchmark to calculate the CIRR margin. Following the discontinuation of LIBOR in 2021, the Participants agreed on temporary solutions for the establishment of CIRR margins.

(4)
The Participants are to agree by written procedure on amendments to the provisions of the Arrangement on the establishment of CIRR margins.

(5)
It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the written procedure of the Participants, as the decision of the Participants will be binding on the Union and capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, by virtue of Article 1 of Regulation (EU) No 1233/2011,

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The guidelines contained in the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (the ‘Arrangement’), developed within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), have been transposed and thus made legally binding in the Union by virtue of Regulation (EU) No 1233/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

(2) In accordance with Annex XII to the Arrangement, a Commercial Interest Reference Rate (‘CIRR’) is established for the currency of each Participant to the Arrangement. A CIRR, which is a fixed minimum interest rate that can be offered as part of a government-backed export finance contract, is composed of a base rate and a margin.

(3) The Participants to the Arrangement (the ‘Participants’) used the London Interbank Offered Rate (‘LIBOR’) as a benchmark to calculate the CIRR margin. Following the discontinuation of LIBOR in 2021, the Participants agreed on temporary solutions for the establishment of CIRR margins.

(4) The Participants are to agree by written procedure on amendments to the provisions of the Arrangement on the establishment of CIRR margins.

(5) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the written procedure of the Participants, as the decision of the Participants will be binding on the Union and capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, by virtue of Article 1 of Regulation (EU) No 1233/2011,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the written procedure of the Participants to the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits as regards the adoption of a decision on amendments to the interest rate provisions of that Arrangement shall be to support a decision based on the draft text attached to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1435 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series




2025/1435
15.7.2025



(1)
On 28 April 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/891(1).



(2)
The Union remains unwavering in its support for the Republic of Moldova and its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors.



(3)
In view of the situation in the Republic of Moldova, the Council considers that seven persons and three entities should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891.



(4)
Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 should therefore be amended accordingly,



(1)
the following entries are added to the table under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’:NameIdentifying informationStatement of reasonsDate of listing‘17.Alexandru BEȘCHIERUFunction: Leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova”) political partyDOB: 5.7.1990POB: Chișinău, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of MoldovaAlexandru Beșchieru is the leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“FASM”) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including FASM.As the leader of FASM, Alexandru Beșchieru represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.202518.Victoria FURTUNĂFunction: Politician – Leader of the “Moldova Mare” political partyDOB: 24.2.1981POB: Hâncești, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of MoldovaVictoria Furtună is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has received significant support from Ilan Shor and the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which is the successor of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In particular, during the 2024 Presidential election, members of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc were encouraged to vote for Victoria Furtună, including through bribing schemes. Moreover, in breach of electoral laws prohibiting campaigning during the day of the elections, listed person Ilan Shor and his associates instructed their supporters to vote for Victoria Furtună.Therefore, she is associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. She is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.202519.Vadim GROZAVUFunction: Leader of the “Victorie” (Victory) political partyDOB: 2.12.1984POB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of MoldovaVadim Grozavu is the leader of the “Victorie” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Victory.As the leader of Victory, Vadim Grozavu represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.202520.Irina MIHAIL LOZOVANFunction: Politician – “Renaștere” (Revival) political partyDOB: 27.12.1983POB: Lipcani, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of MoldovaIrina Lozovan is a politician in the Republic of Moldova from the Renaștere political party (“Renaștere”/“Revival”)), which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere.Irina Lozovan took part in this event and played an executive role in Ilan Shor’s bribing scheme in the context of the presidential elections and constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, Irina Lozovan is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova.She is also associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc and Ilan Shor.15.7.202521.Alexei LUNGUFunction: Journalist, President of “Șansă” (Chance) Political PartyPOB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of MoldovaAlexei Lungu is the leader of the “Șansă” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda political bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Șansă.As the leader of Șansă, Alexei Lungu represents the party and coordinates its activities. He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.202522.Alexandr NESTEROVSCHIFunction: PoliticianDOB: 11.1.1981POB: Răuțel, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of MoldovaAlexandr Nesterovschi is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has been involved in bribing schemes organised by listed person Ilan Shor in order to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova to create an apparently pro-European movement, but that was in fact controlled by Ilan Shor from Moscow. During his criminal trial, Alexandr Nesterovschi received support from Russia and Ilan Shor. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for political corruption.By undermining the democratic political process, including by attempting to destabilise or overthrow the constitutional order, Alexandr Nesterovschi is responsible for actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.202523.Natalia PARASCAFunction: Politician; leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party; board member of “Evrazia” organizationDOB: 2.2.1990POB: UkraineGender: femaleNationality: RussianNatalia Parasca is the leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere. As the leader of Renaștere, Natalia Parasca represents the party and coordinates its activities.She is also a member of the board of listed entity Evrazia, which is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Ilan Shor.Natalia Parasca is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, Ilan Shor and Evrazia.15.7.2025’

Name
Identifying information
Statement of reasons
Date of listing
‘17.
Alexandru BEȘCHIERU
Function: Leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova”) political partyDOB: 5.7.1990POB: Chișinău, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexandru Beșchieru is the leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“FASM”) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including FASM.As the leader of FASM, Alexandru Beșchieru represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
18.
Victoria FURTUNĂ
Function: Politician – Leader of the “Moldova Mare” political partyDOB: 24.2.1981POB: Hâncești, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Victoria Furtună is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has received significant support from Ilan Shor and the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which is the successor of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In particular, during the 2024 Presidential election, members of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc were encouraged to vote for Victoria Furtună, including through bribing schemes. Moreover, in breach of electoral laws prohibiting campaigning during the day of the elections, listed person Ilan Shor and his associates instructed their supporters to vote for Victoria Furtună.Therefore, she is associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. She is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
19.
Vadim GROZAVU
Function: Leader of the “Victorie” (Victory) political partyDOB: 2.12.1984POB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Vadim Grozavu is the leader of the “Victorie” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Victory.As the leader of Victory, Vadim Grozavu represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
20.
Irina MIHAIL LOZOVAN
Function: Politician – “Renaștere” (Revival) political partyDOB: 27.12.1983POB: Lipcani, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Irina Lozovan is a politician in the Republic of Moldova from the Renaștere political party (“Renaștere”/“Revival”)), which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere.Irina Lozovan took part in this event and played an executive role in Ilan Shor’s bribing scheme in the context of the presidential elections and constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, Irina Lozovan is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova.She is also associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc and Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
21.
Alexei LUNGU
Function: Journalist, President of “Șansă” (Chance) Political PartyPOB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexei Lungu is the leader of the “Șansă” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda political bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Șansă.As the leader of Șansă, Alexei Lungu represents the party and coordinates its activities. He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
22.
Alexandr NESTEROVSCHI
Function: PoliticianDOB: 11.1.1981POB: Răuțel, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexandr Nesterovschi is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has been involved in bribing schemes organised by listed person Ilan Shor in order to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova to create an apparently pro-European movement, but that was in fact controlled by Ilan Shor from Moscow. During his criminal trial, Alexandr Nesterovschi received support from Russia and Ilan Shor. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for political corruption.By undermining the democratic political process, including by attempting to destabilise or overthrow the constitutional order, Alexandr Nesterovschi is responsible for actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
23.
Natalia PARASCA
Function: Politician; leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party; board member of “Evrazia” organizationDOB: 2.2.1990POB: UkraineGender: femaleNationality: Russian
Natalia Parasca is the leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere. As the leader of Renaștere, Natalia Parasca represents the party and coordinates its activities.She is also a member of the board of listed entity Evrazia, which is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Ilan Shor.Natalia Parasca is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, Ilan Shor and Evrazia.
15.7.2025’


Name
Identifying information
Statement of reasons
Date of listing

‘17.
Alexandru BEȘCHIERU
Function: Leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova”) political partyDOB: 5.7.1990POB: Chișinău, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexandru Beșchieru is the leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“FASM”) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including FASM.As the leader of FASM, Alexandru Beșchieru represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

18.
Victoria FURTUNĂ
Function: Politician – Leader of the “Moldova Mare” political partyDOB: 24.2.1981POB: Hâncești, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Victoria Furtună is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has received significant support from Ilan Shor and the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which is the successor of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In particular, during the 2024 Presidential election, members of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc were encouraged to vote for Victoria Furtună, including through bribing schemes. Moreover, in breach of electoral laws prohibiting campaigning during the day of the elections, listed person Ilan Shor and his associates instructed their supporters to vote for Victoria Furtună.Therefore, she is associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. She is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

19.
Vadim GROZAVU
Function: Leader of the “Victorie” (Victory) political partyDOB: 2.12.1984POB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Vadim Grozavu is the leader of the “Victorie” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Victory.As the leader of Victory, Vadim Grozavu represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

20.
Irina MIHAIL LOZOVAN
Function: Politician – “Renaștere” (Revival) political partyDOB: 27.12.1983POB: Lipcani, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Irina Lozovan is a politician in the Republic of Moldova from the Renaștere political party (“Renaștere”/“Revival”)), which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere.Irina Lozovan took part in this event and played an executive role in Ilan Shor’s bribing scheme in the context of the presidential elections and constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, Irina Lozovan is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova.She is also associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc and Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

21.
Alexei LUNGU
Function: Journalist, President of “Șansă” (Chance) Political PartyPOB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexei Lungu is the leader of the “Șansă” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda political bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Șansă.As the leader of Șansă, Alexei Lungu represents the party and coordinates its activities. He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

22.
Alexandr NESTEROVSCHI
Function: PoliticianDOB: 11.1.1981POB: Răuțel, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexandr Nesterovschi is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has been involved in bribing schemes organised by listed person Ilan Shor in order to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova to create an apparently pro-European movement, but that was in fact controlled by Ilan Shor from Moscow. During his criminal trial, Alexandr Nesterovschi received support from Russia and Ilan Shor. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for political corruption.By undermining the democratic political process, including by attempting to destabilise or overthrow the constitutional order, Alexandr Nesterovschi is responsible for actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

23.
Natalia PARASCA
Function: Politician; leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party; board member of “Evrazia” organizationDOB: 2.2.1990POB: UkraineGender: femaleNationality: Russian
Natalia Parasca is the leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere. As the leader of Renaștere, Natalia Parasca represents the party and coordinates its activities.She is also a member of the board of listed entity Evrazia, which is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Ilan Shor.Natalia Parasca is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, Ilan Shor and Evrazia.
15.7.2025’




Name
Identifying information
Statement of reasons
Date of listing

‘17.
Alexandru BEȘCHIERU
Function: Leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova”) political partyDOB: 5.7.1990POB: Chișinău, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexandru Beșchieru is the leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“FASM”) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including FASM.As the leader of FASM, Alexandru Beșchieru represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

18.
Victoria FURTUNĂ
Function: Politician – Leader of the “Moldova Mare” political partyDOB: 24.2.1981POB: Hâncești, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Victoria Furtună is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has received significant support from Ilan Shor and the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which is the successor of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In particular, during the 2024 Presidential election, members of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc were encouraged to vote for Victoria Furtună, including through bribing schemes. Moreover, in breach of electoral laws prohibiting campaigning during the day of the elections, listed person Ilan Shor and his associates instructed their supporters to vote for Victoria Furtună.Therefore, she is associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. She is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

19.
Vadim GROZAVU
Function: Leader of the “Victorie” (Victory) political partyDOB: 2.12.1984POB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Vadim Grozavu is the leader of the “Victorie” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Victory.As the leader of Victory, Vadim Grozavu represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

20.
Irina MIHAIL LOZOVAN
Function: Politician – “Renaștere” (Revival) political partyDOB: 27.12.1983POB: Lipcani, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Irina Lozovan is a politician in the Republic of Moldova from the Renaștere political party (“Renaștere”/“Revival”)), which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere.Irina Lozovan took part in this event and played an executive role in Ilan Shor’s bribing scheme in the context of the presidential elections and constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, Irina Lozovan is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova.She is also associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc and Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

21.
Alexei LUNGU
Function: Journalist, President of “Șansă” (Chance) Political PartyPOB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexei Lungu is the leader of the “Șansă” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda political bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Șansă.As the leader of Șansă, Alexei Lungu represents the party and coordinates its activities. He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

22.
Alexandr NESTEROVSCHI
Function: PoliticianDOB: 11.1.1981POB: Răuțel, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova
Alexandr Nesterovschi is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has been involved in bribing schemes organised by listed person Ilan Shor in order to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova to create an apparently pro-European movement, but that was in fact controlled by Ilan Shor from Moscow. During his criminal trial, Alexandr Nesterovschi received support from Russia and Ilan Shor. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for political corruption.By undermining the democratic political process, including by attempting to destabilise or overthrow the constitutional order, Alexandr Nesterovschi is responsible for actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

23.
Natalia PARASCA
Function: Politician; leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party; board member of “Evrazia” organizationDOB: 2.2.1990POB: UkraineGender: femaleNationality: Russian
Natalia Parasca is the leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere. As the leader of Renaștere, Natalia Parasca represents the party and coordinates its activities.She is also a member of the board of listed entity Evrazia, which is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Ilan Shor.Natalia Parasca is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, Ilan Shor and Evrazia.
15.7.2025’



(2)
the following entries are added to the table under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’:NameIdentifying informationStatement of ReasonsDate of listing‘3.A7 OOO(A7 LLC)Type of entity: Limited liability companyAddress: 125196, Moscow, District of Tverskoy, Lesnaya Street 9, Room 2/10, Russian FederationRegistration number: 087101182757A7 has been established by Ilan Shor, together with multiple financial companies in Moscow, partnering with Russian state entities. These companies are linked to efforts to influence the Presidential elections and Constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024. Ilan Shor used A7 to transfer money to voters, offering payments in exchange for votes against the referendum and for specific candidates in the Presidential elections.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, A7 is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. A7 is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.20254.VICTORY/POBEDA POLITICAL BLOCПолитический блок “Победа”Type of entity: Political blocAddress: Moscow, Russian FederationThe Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc was established by Ilan Shor on 21 April 2024. The bloc was formed with several notable signatories including Marina Tauber and Evghenia Guțul, and leaders of the “Chance” (Șansă), “Revival” (Renaștere), “Victory” (Victorie) and “Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova” (Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei) parties. During the assembly, Ilan Shor was elected as the chairman of the political bloc, with listed persons Evghenia Guțul as the executive secretary and Marina Tauber as the secretary.The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is involved in spreading false information and engaged in vote-buying schemes during the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. It is also associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.20255.The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova(“Культурно-образовательный центр Молдовы”)Type of entity: Autonomous non-profit organisationAddress: Moscow, Russian FederationRegistration number: 1237700920654 – 9705215107/770501001Website:https://moldovacenter.ru/The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova facilitated electoral interference in the 2024 presidential elections by distributing free vouchers to voters transported to a Moscow polling station, while simultaneously promoting the “Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation” propaganda program. Those activities have been conducted in coordination with Ilan Shor and other associates, to systematically influence electoral outcomes. Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul, together with the Victory political party, promoted the opening of the Cultural Educational Center in multiple Russian cities. The launch event has also been used as a platform to promote the agenda of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, led by Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is therefore associated with Ilan Shor.15.7.2025’

Name
Identifying information
Statement of Reasons
Date of listing
‘3.
A7 OOO(A7 LLC)
Type of entity: Limited liability companyAddress: 125196, Moscow, District of Tverskoy, Lesnaya Street 9, Room 2/10, Russian FederationRegistration number: 087101182757
A7 has been established by Ilan Shor, together with multiple financial companies in Moscow, partnering with Russian state entities. These companies are linked to efforts to influence the Presidential elections and Constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024. Ilan Shor used A7 to transfer money to voters, offering payments in exchange for votes against the referendum and for specific candidates in the Presidential elections.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, A7 is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. A7 is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
4.
VICTORY/POBEDA POLITICAL BLOCПолитический блок “Победа”
Type of entity: Political blocAddress: Moscow, Russian Federation
The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc was established by Ilan Shor on 21 April 2024. The bloc was formed with several notable signatories including Marina Tauber and Evghenia Guțul, and leaders of the “Chance” (Șansă), “Revival” (Renaștere), “Victory” (Victorie) and “Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova” (Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei) parties. During the assembly, Ilan Shor was elected as the chairman of the political bloc, with listed persons Evghenia Guțul as the executive secretary and Marina Tauber as the secretary.The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is involved in spreading false information and engaged in vote-buying schemes during the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. It is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025
5.
The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova(“Культурно-образовательный центр Молдовы”)
Type of entity: Autonomous non-profit organisationAddress: Moscow, Russian FederationRegistration number: 1237700920654 – 9705215107/770501001Website:https://moldovacenter.ru/
The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova facilitated electoral interference in the 2024 presidential elections by distributing free vouchers to voters transported to a Moscow polling station, while simultaneously promoting the “Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation” propaganda program. Those activities have been conducted in coordination with Ilan Shor and other associates, to systematically influence electoral outcomes. Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul, together with the Victory political party, promoted the opening of the Cultural Educational Center in multiple Russian cities. The launch event has also been used as a platform to promote the agenda of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, led by Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is therefore associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025’


Name
Identifying information
Statement of Reasons
Date of listing

‘3.
A7 OOO(A7 LLC)
Type of entity: Limited liability companyAddress: 125196, Moscow, District of Tverskoy, Lesnaya Street 9, Room 2/10, Russian FederationRegistration number: 087101182757
A7 has been established by Ilan Shor, together with multiple financial companies in Moscow, partnering with Russian state entities. These companies are linked to efforts to influence the Presidential elections and Constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024. Ilan Shor used A7 to transfer money to voters, offering payments in exchange for votes against the referendum and for specific candidates in the Presidential elections.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, A7 is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. A7 is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

4.
VICTORY/POBEDA POLITICAL BLOCПолитический блок “Победа”
Type of entity: Political blocAddress: Moscow, Russian Federation
The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc was established by Ilan Shor on 21 April 2024. The bloc was formed with several notable signatories including Marina Tauber and Evghenia Guțul, and leaders of the “Chance” (Șansă), “Revival” (Renaștere), “Victory” (Victorie) and “Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova” (Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei) parties. During the assembly, Ilan Shor was elected as the chairman of the political bloc, with listed persons Evghenia Guțul as the executive secretary and Marina Tauber as the secretary.The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is involved in spreading false information and engaged in vote-buying schemes during the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. It is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

5.
The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova(“Культурно-образовательный центр Молдовы”)
Type of entity: Autonomous non-profit organisationAddress: Moscow, Russian FederationRegistration number: 1237700920654 – 9705215107/770501001Website:https://moldovacenter.ru/
The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova facilitated electoral interference in the 2024 presidential elections by distributing free vouchers to voters transported to a Moscow polling station, while simultaneously promoting the “Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation” propaganda program. Those activities have been conducted in coordination with Ilan Shor and other associates, to systematically influence electoral outcomes. Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul, together with the Victory political party, promoted the opening of the Cultural Educational Center in multiple Russian cities. The launch event has also been used as a platform to promote the agenda of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, led by Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is therefore associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025’




Name
Identifying information
Statement of Reasons
Date of listing

‘3.
A7 OOO(A7 LLC)
Type of entity: Limited liability companyAddress: 125196, Moscow, District of Tverskoy, Lesnaya Street 9, Room 2/10, Russian FederationRegistration number: 087101182757
A7 has been established by Ilan Shor, together with multiple financial companies in Moscow, partnering with Russian state entities. These companies are linked to efforts to influence the Presidential elections and Constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024. Ilan Shor used A7 to transfer money to voters, offering payments in exchange for votes against the referendum and for specific candidates in the Presidential elections.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, A7 is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. A7 is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

4.
VICTORY/POBEDA POLITICAL BLOCПолитический блок “Победа”
Type of entity: Political blocAddress: Moscow, Russian Federation
The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc was established by Ilan Shor on 21 April 2024. The bloc was formed with several notable signatories including Marina Tauber and Evghenia Guțul, and leaders of the “Chance” (Șansă), “Revival” (Renaștere), “Victory” (Victorie) and “Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova” (Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei) parties. During the assembly, Ilan Shor was elected as the chairman of the political bloc, with listed persons Evghenia Guțul as the executive secretary and Marina Tauber as the secretary.The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is involved in spreading false information and engaged in vote-buying schemes during the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. It is also associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025

5.
The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova(“Культурно-образовательный центр Молдовы”)
Type of entity: Autonomous non-profit organisationAddress: Moscow, Russian FederationRegistration number: 1237700920654 – 9705215107/770501001Website:https://moldovacenter.ru/
The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova facilitated electoral interference in the 2024 presidential elections by distributing free vouchers to voters transported to a Moscow polling station, while simultaneously promoting the “Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation” propaganda program. Those activities have been conducted in coordination with Ilan Shor and other associates, to systematically influence electoral outcomes. Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul, together with the Victory political party, promoted the opening of the Cultural Educational Center in multiple Russian cities. The launch event has also been used as a platform to promote the agenda of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, led by Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul.By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is therefore associated with Ilan Shor.
15.7.2025’

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 28 April 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 (1).

(2) The Union remains unwavering in its support for the Republic of Moldova and its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors.

(3) In view of the situation in the Republic of Moldova, the Council considers that seven persons and three entities should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891.

(4) Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 is amended as follows:
(1) the following entries are added to the table under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’:
Name

Identifying information

Statement of reasons

Date of listing

‘17. Alexandru BEȘCHIERU

Function: Leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova”) political party

DOB: 5.7.1990

POB: Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Alexandru Beșchieru is the leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“FASM”) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including FASM.

As the leader of FASM, Alexandru Beșchieru represents the party and coordinates its activities.

He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 18. Victoria FURTUNĂ

Function: Politician – Leader of the “Moldova Mare” political party

DOB: 24.2.1981

POB: Hâncești, Republic of Moldova

Gender: female

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Victoria Furtună is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has received significant support from Ilan Shor and the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which is the successor of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In particular, during the 2024 Presidential election, members of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc were encouraged to vote for Victoria Furtună, including through bribing schemes. Moreover, in breach of electoral laws prohibiting campaigning during the day of the elections, listed person Ilan Shor and his associates instructed their supporters to vote for Victoria Furtună.

Therefore, she is associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. She is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 19. Vadim GROZAVU

Function: Leader of the “Victorie” (Victory) political party

DOB: 2.12.1984

POB: Republic of Moldova

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Vadim Grozavu is the leader of the “Victorie” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Victory.

As the leader of Victory, Vadim Grozavu represents the party and coordinates its activities.

He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 20. Irina MIHAIL LOZOVAN

Function: Politician – “Renaștere” (Revival) political party

DOB: 27.12.1983

POB: Lipcani, Republic of Moldova

Gender: female

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Irina Lozovan is a politician in the Republic of Moldova from the Renaștere political party (“Renaștere”/“Revival”)), which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere.

Irina Lozovan took part in this event and played an executive role in Ilan Shor’s bribing scheme in the context of the presidential elections and constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024. By seriously undermining the holding of elections, Irina Lozovan is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova.

She is also associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc and Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 21. Alexei LUNGU

Function: Journalist, President of “Șansă” (Chance) Political Party

POB: Republic of Moldova

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Alexei Lungu is the leader of the “Șansă” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda political bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Șansă.

As the leader of Șansă, Alexei Lungu represents the party and coordinates its activities. He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 22. Alexandr NESTEROVSCHI

Function: Politician

DOB: 11.1.1981

POB: Răuțel, Republic of Moldova

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Alexandr Nesterovschi is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has been involved in bribing schemes organised by listed person Ilan Shor in order to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova to create an apparently pro-European movement, but that was in fact controlled by Ilan Shor from Moscow. During his criminal trial, Alexandr Nesterovschi received support from Russia and Ilan Shor. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for political corruption.

By undermining the democratic political process, including by attempting to destabilise or overthrow the constitutional order, Alexandr Nesterovschi is responsible for actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 23. Natalia PARASCA

Function: Politician; leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party; board member of “Evrazia” organization

DOB: 2.2.1990

POB: Ukraine

Gender: female

Nationality: Russian

Natalia Parasca is the leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere. As the leader of Renaștere, Natalia Parasca represents the party and coordinates its activities.

She is also a member of the board of listed entity Evrazia, which is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Ilan Shor.

Natalia Parasca is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, Ilan Shor and Evrazia.

15.7.2025’

(2) the following entries are added to the table under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’:
Name

Identifying information

Statement of Reasons

Date of listing

‘3. A7 OOO

(A7 LLC)

Type of entity: Limited liability company

Address: 125196, Moscow, District of Tverskoy, Lesnaya Street 9, Room 2/10, Russian Federation

Registration number: 087101182757

A7 has been established by Ilan Shor, together with multiple financial companies in Moscow, partnering with Russian state entities. These companies are linked to efforts to influence the Presidential elections and Constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024. Ilan Shor used A7 to transfer money to voters, offering payments in exchange for votes against the referendum and for specific candidates in the Presidential elections.

By seriously undermining the holding of elections, A7 is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. A7 is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 4. VICTORY/POBEDA POLITICAL BLOC

Политический блок “Победа”

Type of entity: Political bloc

Address: Moscow, Russian Federation

The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc was established by Ilan Shor on 21 April 2024. The bloc was formed with several notable signatories including Marina Tauber and Evghenia Guțul, and leaders of the “Chance” (Șansă), “Revival” (Renaștere), “Victory” (Victorie) and “Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova” (Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei) parties. During the assembly, Ilan Shor was elected as the chairman of the political bloc, with listed persons Evghenia Guțul as the executive secretary and Marina Tauber as the secretary.

The Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is involved in spreading false information and engaged in vote-buying schemes during the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on EU accession held in the Republic of Moldova in 2024. By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. It is also associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025 5. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova

(“Культурно-образовательный центр Молдовы”)

Type of entity: Autonomous non-profit organisation

Address: Moscow, Russian Federation

Registration number: 1237700920654 – 9705215107/770501001

Website: https://moldovacenter.ru/

The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova facilitated electoral interference in the 2024 presidential elections by distributing free vouchers to voters transported to a Moscow polling station, while simultaneously promoting the “Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation” propaganda program. Those activities have been conducted in coordination with Ilan Shor and other associates, to systematically influence electoral outcomes. Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul, together with the Victory political party, promoted the opening of the Cultural Educational Center in multiple Russian cities. The launch event has also been used as a platform to promote the agenda of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, led by Ilan Shor and Evghenia Guțul.

By undermining the democratic political process, including by seriously undermining the holding of elections, the Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is responsible for actions or policies that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova is therefore associated with Ilan Shor.

15.7.2025’
			

Council Decision (EU) 2025/1432 of 8 July 2025 on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement (EPBD) (Text with EEA relevance)

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series




2025/1432
17.7.2025



(1)
The Agreement on the European Economic Area(2)(the ‘EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.



(2)
Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement.



(3)
Directive (EU) 2018/844 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency(3)should be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.



(4)
The conditions for a temporary and conditional exemption for Iceland from applying Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council(4)continue to be in place, due to Iceland’s relatively recent and uniform building stock. The exemption should be strictly limited in time and should only apply until Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council(5)has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement.



(5)
Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.



(6)
The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,



(1)
Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency(1)is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.



(2)
The EFTA States are not included in the Union’s 2030 headline target for energy efficiency in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC(2)as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 amending Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency(3). Consequently, the EFTA States shall not specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency target in their respective long-term strategies in Article 2a(2) of Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings (recast)(4)as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/844.



(3)
Due to the specificities of Iceland’s relatively recent and uniform building stock, a temporary and conditional exemption from applying Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings is agreed. That exemption should apply to Directive 2010/31/EU as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/844. The exemption should be strictly limited in time and should apply only until Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the Energy Performance in Buildings (recast)(5)has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement.



(4)
Annex IV to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,



1.
Point 17 (Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council) shall be amended as follows:(i)the following is added:‘, as amended by:—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’;(ii)adaptation (d) shall be renumbered as adaptation (g); adaptation (c) is renumbered as adaptation (e); adaptation (b) shall be renumbered as adaptation (c);(iii)the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):‘(b)In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’;(iv)the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):‘(d)In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’;(v)the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):‘(f)In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.
(i)
the following is added:‘, as amended by:—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’;
—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’
(ii)
adaptation (d) shall be renumbered as adaptation (g); adaptation (c) is renumbered as adaptation (e); adaptation (b) shall be renumbered as adaptation (c);
(iii)
the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):‘(b)In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’;
‘(b)
In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’
(iv)
the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):‘(d)In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’;
‘(d)
In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(v)
the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):‘(f)In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.
‘(f)
In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.

(i)
the following is added:‘, as amended by:—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’;
—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’

—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’

(ii)
adaptation (d) shall be renumbered as adaptation (g); adaptation (c) is renumbered as adaptation (e); adaptation (b) shall be renumbered as adaptation (c);

(iii)
the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):‘(b)In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’;
‘(b)
In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’

‘(b)
In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’

(iv)
the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):‘(d)In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’;
‘(d)
In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

‘(d)
In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;

(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

(v)
the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):‘(f)In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.
‘(f)
In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.

‘(f)
In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.



(i)
the following is added:‘, as amended by:—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’;
—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’

—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’



—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’



(ii)
adaptation (d) shall be renumbered as adaptation (g); adaptation (c) is renumbered as adaptation (e); adaptation (b) shall be renumbered as adaptation (c);



(iii)
the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):‘(b)In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’;
‘(b)
In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’

‘(b)
In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’



‘(b)
In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’



(iv)
the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):‘(d)In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’;
‘(d)
In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

‘(d)
In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;

(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’



‘(d)
In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;

(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’



(i)
in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;



(ii)
in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’



(v)
the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):‘(f)In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.
‘(f)
In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.

‘(f)
In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.



‘(f)
In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.



2.
The following indent is added in point 24 (Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council):‘—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.
‘—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.

‘—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.



‘—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 194(2) in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Agreement on the European Economic Area (2) (the ‘EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.

(2) Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement.

(3) Directive (EU) 2018/844 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (3) should be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(4) The conditions for a temporary and conditional exemption for Iceland from applying Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) continue to be in place, due to Iceland’s relatively recent and uniform building stock. The exemption should be strictly limited in time and should only apply until Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(5) Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6) The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The position to be adopted, on behalf of the Union, within the EEA Joint Committee on the proposed amendment of Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement, shall be based on the draft decision of the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Annex IV to the EEA Agreement is amended as follows:

 1. Point 17 (Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council) shall be amended as follows:

(i) the following is added:

                                          ‘, as amended by:

—

32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’
;

(ii) adaptation (d) shall be renumbered as adaptation (g); adaptation (c) is renumbered as adaptation (e); adaptation (b) shall be renumbered as adaptation (c);

(iii) the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):

‘(b) In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’

;

(iv) the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):

‘(d) In Article 8:

(i) in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;

(ii) in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

;

(v) the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):

‘(f) In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.
 2. The following indent is added in point 24 (Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council):

‘—

32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.
The text of Directive (EU) 2018/844 in the Icelandic and Norwegian languages, to be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union, shall be authentic.
This Decision shall enter into force on … , provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement have been made (*1), or on the day of the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … (6) [incorporating {Directive 2012/27/EU} into the EEA Agreement], whichever is the later.
This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.
1.

Point 17 (Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council) shall be amended as follows:

(i)

the following is added:
                                          ‘, as amended by:

—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’

;
(ii)

adaptation (d) shall be renumbered as adaptation (g); adaptation (c) is renumbered as adaptation (e); adaptation (b) shall be renumbered as adaptation (c);

(iii)

the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):

‘(b)

In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’

;

(iv)

the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):

‘(d)

In Article 8:

(i)

in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;

(ii)

in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

;

(v)

the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):

‘(f)

In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.

2.

The following indent is added in point 24 (Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council):

‘—
32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.
			

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431 of 9 July 2025 on the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 (EUSDI/2/2025)

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1431
17.7.2025

(1)
Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) is to exercise the political control and strategic direction of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (the ‘Initiative’). Furthermore, the Council authorised the PSC to take relevant decisions in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union, including decisions on the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell.

(2)
On 8 January 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/69(2), appointing Captain Francisco Javier LÓPEZ FUSTER as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 15 January 2025.

(3)
On 21 May 2025, the Dutch authorities proposed the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative (the ‘proposed appointment’).

(4)
On 2 June 2025, the Military Commander for the military pillar of the Initiative supported the proposed appointment.

(5)
On 18 June 2025, the European Union Military Committee agreed to recommend that the PSC approve the proposed appointment.

(6)
A decision should be taken on the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 16 July 2025.

(7)
Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 should be repealed,

THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 of 3 August 2023 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (1), an in particular Article 3 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) is to exercise the political control and strategic direction of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (the ‘Initiative’). Furthermore, the Council authorised the PSC to take relevant decisions in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union, including decisions on the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell.

(2) On 8 January 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 (2), appointing Captain Francisco Javier LÓPEZ FUSTER as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 15 January 2025.

(3) On 21 May 2025, the Dutch authorities proposed the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative (the ‘proposed appointment’).

(4) On 2 June 2025, the Military Commander for the military pillar of the Initiative supported the proposed appointment.

(5) On 18 June 2025, the European Union Military Committee agreed to recommend that the PSC approve the proposed appointment.

(6) A decision should be taken on the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 16 July 2025.

(7) Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP is hereby appointed as the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea as from 16 July 2025.
Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 is hereby repealed.
This Decision shall enter into force on 16 July 2025.

Council Decision (EU) 2025/1430 of 8 July 2025 on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement (RED II) (Text with EEA relevance)

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1430
17.7.2025

(1)
The Agreement on the European Economic Area(2)(the ‘EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.

(2)
Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement.

(3)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/759(3)and Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council(4)should be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(4)
Several provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 require substantive adaptations that reflect the specificities of the EEA Agreement and of the EFTA States.

(5)
Since the Union’s binding renewable energy target does not apply to the EFTA States, the Union target set out in Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should not apply to EFTA States. That Article was therefore adapted accordingly. However, the EFTA States set out in a voluntary manner their national indicative targets for renewable energy, as set out in the Declaration of EFTA States attached to the EEA Joint Committee Decision. Consequently, the EFTA States should not be part of the Union renewable development platform nor partake in statistical transfers with the Member States. Article 8 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should therefore not apply to the EFTA States.

(6)
Given the Iceland’s remote geographical location and related challenges with calculating gross final consumption of energy in relation to the amount of energy consumed in aviation, the same threshold as that granted to Cyprus and Malta in Article 7 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should apply to Iceland.

(7)
As regards the permit-granting procedures set out in Article 16 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, the Joint Committee Decision should take into account the particular obligations of Norway to consult the Sami people, so to ensure that the time periods for the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(4), (5) and (6) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 may be extended for up to one year.

(8)
The EFTA States should follow the Union policy with respect to mutual recognition of guarantees of origin with third countries set out in Article 19(11) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Accordingly, they should not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country unless the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country, and unless the criteria set out in that Article are met. Article 19(11) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 was therefore adapted accordingly.

(9)
Since Norway and Iceland have high shares of renewable electricity and Norway uses that electricity predominantly for heating purposes while Iceland covers its heating demand from either renewable geothermal sources or renewable electricity, it is appropriate to adapt the calculation methods relating to the mainstreaming of heating and cooling set out in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

(10)
Furthermore, it is currently not possible for Liechtenstein to apply Articles 25 to 31 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on renewable energy in the transport sector and sustainability requirements for renewable fuels, given that policy on fuels is regulated in the regional union of Liechtenstein with Switzerland. Therefore, a temporary derogation should be granted to Liechtenstein, taking into account that it applies within that regional union a system of increasing biofuels based on a CO2compensation mechanism with a target of 23 % applicable since 2024. The derogation should only apply until Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council(5)has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(11)
Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.

(12)
The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,

(1)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/759 of 14 December 2021 amending Annex VII to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards a methodology for calculating the amount of renewable energy used for cooling and district cooling(1)is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(2)
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources(2), as corrected byOJ L 311, 25.9.2020, p. 11andOJ L 41, 22.2.2022, p. 37, is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(3)
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 repeals Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(3), which is incorporated into the EEA Agreement and which is consequently to be repealed under the EEA Agreement.

(4)
The EFTA States are not included in the binding overall Union target for the share of energy from renewable sources in the Union’s gross final energy consumption in 2030. Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should apply to the EFTA States except for the provisions in Article 3(1), 3(5) and 3(6) of that Directive. The EFTA States should instead set national indicative renewable energy targets for 2030 and should consequently not apply Article 8 regarding the Union renewable development platform and statistical transfers. This does not preclude the possibility for future negotiations between the EFTA States and the Union as regards cooperation on renewable energy targets after 2030.

(5)
The EFTA States may apply support schemes in accordance with Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 for the purpose of reaching or exceeding their respective national indicative renewable energy targets.

(6)
Article 7(5) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 provides for exemptions for Cyprus and Malta in the form of a lower threshold when it comes to the calculation of gross final consumption of energy, in connection with the amount of energy consumed in aviation. Iceland is a remote island with long distances between Iceland and the neighbouring countries. In light of this specific geographic situation, the same threshold should apply to Iceland as to Cyprus and Malta.

(7)
In cases where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people, it is necessary to ensure that the time periods for the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(4), 16(5) and 16(6) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 may be extended for up to one year.

(8)
Norway and Iceland have high shares of renewable electricity. Norway predominantly uses renewable electricity for heating purposes, while Iceland covers a large part of its heating demand from renewable geothermal sources and uses renewable electricity where geothermal sources are not available. It is therefore appropriate to adapt the calculation methods relating to the mainstreaming of heating and cooling in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as regards the EFTA States.

(9)
In view of Liechtenstein’s regional union with Switzerland, within which fuels are regulated by Swiss authorities and supplied by Swiss entities, and due to this being the sole source of supplies of transport fuels in Liechtenstein, a temporary derogation from Articles 25-31 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 which provide rules on renewable energy in the transport sector and sustainability rules for renewable fuels is appropriate. Liechtenstein follows Switzerland’s system of increasing biofuels based on a CO2compensation mechanism, which is comparable in ambition to the substitution and saving effects of biofuel targets. CO2emissions from fuels for combustion vehicles have to be compensated by domestic measures and measures abroad. Article 37 of Liechtenstein’s CO2Ordinance (LR 814.065.1) and Articles 9 and 10 of the CO2Act (LR 814.065) stipulate that, as of 2024, 23 % of the CO2emissions must be compensated. That derogation should apply to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as in force before the amendment by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023(4). That derogation is strictly limited in time and should apply only until an agreement is reached concerning incorporation of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into the EEA Agreement. An agreement should be deemed to be reached once Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(10)
Liechtenstein has been exempted from Regulation (EC) No 1099/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2008 on energy statistics(5)given it is unable to provide original data about ‘primary energy consumption’ or ‘final energy consumption’. Liechtenstein may reformat national statistical data into the data on primary energy consumption and final energy consumption where this is required under Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

(11)
Annex IV to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,

—
32022 R 0759: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/759 of 14 December 2021 (OJ L 139, 18.5.2022, p. 1).Decisions on recognition of voluntary schemes for demonstrating compliance with the sustainability criteria under Directives 98/70/EC and (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council are referred to in Chapter XVII of Annex II.The provisions of the Directive shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be read with the following adaptations:(a)Articles 3(1), 3(5), 3(6), 5(4), 5(5) and 8 shall not apply to the EFTA States.(b)In Article 3:(i)in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;(ii)in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.(c)In Article 4:(i)in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;(ii)in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.(d)In Article 5(2), the words “Union law on the internal market in electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market in electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.(e)In Articles 4(9), 6(1), 21(7) and 22(7), the words “Articles 107 and 108 TFEU” shall be replaced by “Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement”.(f)In the third subparagraph of Article 7(5), the word “, Iceland” shall be inserted after the word “Cyprus”.(g)In Article 16(4) and (5), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people” shall be inserted after the words “extraordinary circumstances”.(h)In Article 16(6), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people,” shall be inserted after the word “installation”.(i)In Article 19(11), the following subparagraphs shall be added:“EFTA States shall not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country except where the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country on mutual recognition of guarantees of origin issued in the Union and compatible guarantees of origin systems established in that third country, and the EFTA States have concluded a substantially equivalent agreement with that third country, and only where there is a direct import or export of energy.The EFTA States shall endeavour to conclude agreements referred to in the first subparagraph.”.(j)In Articles 19(12) and 36(3), the words “Union law” shall be replaced by the words “the EEA Agreement”.(k)In Article 20(3), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, their respective national indicative renewable energy target set in accordance with Article 3(2)” shall be inserted after the words “Union target set in Article 3(1) of this Directive”.(l)In Article 23(1), the words “and calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Article 7, without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this Article” shall not apply to the EFTA States.(m)In Article 23(2)(b), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, where its share of renewable energy, including renewable electricity, used in the heating and cooling sector is above 60 %, may count any such share as fulfilling the average annual increase” shall be inserted after the words “the average annual increase”.(n)In Article 29(1)(a), the words “contributing towards the Union target set in Article 3(1) and” shall not apply to the EFTA States.(o)Articles 25 to 31 shall not apply to Liechtenstein until incorporation of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into the EEA Agreement.(p)The following shall be added to the table in point A of Annex I:Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)“Iceland55,0  %64 %Norway58,2  %67,5  %Liechtenstein7 %24 %”(q)In points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 6 of Annex IV, the words “national and Union law” shall be replaced by “national law and legislation applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.’
(a)
Articles 3(1), 3(5), 3(6), 5(4), 5(5) and 8 shall not apply to the EFTA States.
(b)
In Article 3:(i)in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;(ii)in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.
(i)
in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;
(ii)
in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.
(c)
In Article 4:(i)in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;(ii)in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.
(i)
in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;
(ii)
in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.
(d)
In Article 5(2), the words “Union law on the internal market in electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market in electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.
(e)
In Articles 4(9), 6(1), 21(7) and 22(7), the words “Articles 107 and 108 TFEU” shall be replaced by “Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement”.
(f)
In the third subparagraph of Article 7(5), the word “, Iceland” shall be inserted after the word “Cyprus”.
(g)
In Article 16(4) and (5), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people” shall be inserted after the words “extraordinary circumstances”.
(h)
In Article 16(6), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people,” shall be inserted after the word “installation”.
(i)
In Article 19(11), the following subparagraphs shall be added:“EFTA States shall not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country except where the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country on mutual recognition of guarantees of origin issued in the Union and compatible guarantees of origin systems established in that third country, and the EFTA States have concluded a substantially equivalent agreement with that third country, and only where there is a direct import or export of energy.The EFTA States shall endeavour to conclude agreements referred to in the first subparagraph.”.
(j)
In Articles 19(12) and 36(3), the words “Union law” shall be replaced by the words “the EEA Agreement”.
(k)
In Article 20(3), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, their respective national indicative renewable energy target set in accordance with Article 3(2)” shall be inserted after the words “Union target set in Article 3(1) of this Directive”.
(l)
In Article 23(1), the words “and calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Article 7, without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this Article” shall not apply to the EFTA States.
(m)
In Article 23(2)(b), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, where its share of renewable energy, including renewable electricity, used in the heating and cooling sector is above 60 %, may count any such share as fulfilling the average annual increase” shall be inserted after the words “the average annual increase”.
(n)
In Article 29(1)(a), the words “contributing towards the Union target set in Article 3(1) and” shall not apply to the EFTA States.
(o)
Articles 25 to 31 shall not apply to Liechtenstein until incorporation of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into the EEA Agreement.
(p)
The following shall be added to the table in point A of Annex I:Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)“Iceland55,0  %64 %Norway58,2  %67,5  %Liechtenstein7 %24 %”

Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)
Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)
“Iceland
55,0  %
64 %
Norway
58,2  %
67,5  %
Liechtenstein
7 %
24 %”
(q)
In points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 6 of Annex IV, the words “national and Union law” shall be replaced by “national law and legislation applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.’

(a)
Articles 3(1), 3(5), 3(6), 5(4), 5(5) and 8 shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(b)
In Article 3:(i)in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;(ii)in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.
(i)
in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;
(ii)
in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(i)
in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;

(ii)
in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(c)
In Article 4:(i)in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;(ii)in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.
(i)
in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;
(ii)
in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(i)
in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;

(ii)
in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(d)
In Article 5(2), the words “Union law on the internal market in electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market in electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(e)
In Articles 4(9), 6(1), 21(7) and 22(7), the words “Articles 107 and 108 TFEU” shall be replaced by “Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement”.

(f)
In the third subparagraph of Article 7(5), the word “, Iceland” shall be inserted after the word “Cyprus”.

(g)
In Article 16(4) and (5), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people” shall be inserted after the words “extraordinary circumstances”.

(h)
In Article 16(6), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people,” shall be inserted after the word “installation”.

(i)
In Article 19(11), the following subparagraphs shall be added:“EFTA States shall not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country except where the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country on mutual recognition of guarantees of origin issued in the Union and compatible guarantees of origin systems established in that third country, and the EFTA States have concluded a substantially equivalent agreement with that third country, and only where there is a direct import or export of energy.The EFTA States shall endeavour to conclude agreements referred to in the first subparagraph.”.

(j)
In Articles 19(12) and 36(3), the words “Union law” shall be replaced by the words “the EEA Agreement”.

(k)
In Article 20(3), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, their respective national indicative renewable energy target set in accordance with Article 3(2)” shall be inserted after the words “Union target set in Article 3(1) of this Directive”.

(l)
In Article 23(1), the words “and calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Article 7, without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this Article” shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(m)
In Article 23(2)(b), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, where its share of renewable energy, including renewable electricity, used in the heating and cooling sector is above 60 %, may count any such share as fulfilling the average annual increase” shall be inserted after the words “the average annual increase”.

(n)
In Article 29(1)(a), the words “contributing towards the Union target set in Article 3(1) and” shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(o)
Articles 25 to 31 shall not apply to Liechtenstein until incorporation of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into the EEA Agreement.

(p)
The following shall be added to the table in point A of Annex I:Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)“Iceland55,0  %64 %Norway58,2  %67,5  %Liechtenstein7 %24 %”

Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)
Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)
“Iceland
55,0  %
64 %
Norway
58,2  %
67,5  %
Liechtenstein
7 %
24 %”

Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)
Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)

“Iceland
55,0  %
64 %

Norway
58,2  %
67,5  %

Liechtenstein
7 %
24 %”

(q)
In points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 6 of Annex IV, the words “national and Union law” shall be replaced by “national law and legislation applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.’

(a)
Articles 3(1), 3(5), 3(6), 5(4), 5(5) and 8 shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(b)
In Article 3:(i)in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;(ii)in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.
(i)
in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;
(ii)
in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(i)
in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;

(ii)
in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(i)
in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;

(ii)
in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(c)
In Article 4:(i)in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;(ii)in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.
(i)
in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;
(ii)
in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(i)
in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;

(ii)
in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(i)
in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;

(ii)
in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(d)
In Article 5(2), the words “Union law on the internal market in electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market in electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(e)
In Articles 4(9), 6(1), 21(7) and 22(7), the words “Articles 107 and 108 TFEU” shall be replaced by “Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement”.

(f)
In the third subparagraph of Article 7(5), the word “, Iceland” shall be inserted after the word “Cyprus”.

(g)
In Article 16(4) and (5), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people” shall be inserted after the words “extraordinary circumstances”.

(h)
In Article 16(6), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people,” shall be inserted after the word “installation”.

(i)
In Article 19(11), the following subparagraphs shall be added:“EFTA States shall not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country except where the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country on mutual recognition of guarantees of origin issued in the Union and compatible guarantees of origin systems established in that third country, and the EFTA States have concluded a substantially equivalent agreement with that third country, and only where there is a direct import or export of energy.The EFTA States shall endeavour to conclude agreements referred to in the first subparagraph.”.

(j)
In Articles 19(12) and 36(3), the words “Union law” shall be replaced by the words “the EEA Agreement”.

(k)
In Article 20(3), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, their respective national indicative renewable energy target set in accordance with Article 3(2)” shall be inserted after the words “Union target set in Article 3(1) of this Directive”.

(l)
In Article 23(1), the words “and calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Article 7, without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this Article” shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(m)
In Article 23(2)(b), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, where its share of renewable energy, including renewable electricity, used in the heating and cooling sector is above 60 %, may count any such share as fulfilling the average annual increase” shall be inserted after the words “the average annual increase”.

(n)
In Article 29(1)(a), the words “contributing towards the Union target set in Article 3(1) and” shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(o)
Articles 25 to 31 shall not apply to Liechtenstein until incorporation of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into the EEA Agreement.

(p)
The following shall be added to the table in point A of Annex I:Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)“Iceland55,0  %64 %Norway58,2  %67,5  %Liechtenstein7 %24 %”

Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)
Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)
“Iceland
55,0  %
64 %
Norway
58,2  %
67,5  %
Liechtenstein
7 %
24 %”

Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)
Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)

“Iceland
55,0  %
64 %

Norway
58,2  %
67,5  %

Liechtenstein
7 %
24 %”

Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)
Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)

“Iceland
55,0  %
64 %

Norway
58,2  %
67,5  %

Liechtenstein
7 %
24 %”

(q)
In points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 6 of Annex IV, the words “national and Union law” shall be replaced by “national law and legislation applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.’

—
Iceland has set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption of 80 % in 2030. The Icelandic national renewable target is based on the Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency (UOS)’s analysis and forecast towards 2030. The sectors for electricity and heating in Iceland are based on 100 % renewable energy sources of hydro and geothermal energy. The Icelandic indicative renewable target for 2030 is sixteen percentage points higher than the national target for the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy in 2020.

—
On 6 November 2020 the Liechtenstein Parliament (Landtag) adopted its Energy Strategy for 2030 setting a national target of 30 % for the share of energy from renewable sources. This objective is pursued as follows: Approx. 17 % from domestic, renewable energy sources (primarily photovoltaics and, where possible, wind power and, on a smaller scale, biomass) and approx. 13 % from imported, renewable energy sources (e-fuels, renewable hydrogen). Reporting on the achievement of objectives takes place annually (as part of a monitoring report for the attention of the Liechtenstein Parliament).

—
Norway has set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption of 77,5 % in 2030. The Norwegian national renewable target is based on the Norwegian Energy Agency (NVE)’s analysis and forecasts towards 2030, and on internal assessments undertaken by the Norwegian Ministry of Energy. Norway’s starting point is very high as Norway has been an early mover in renewable energy. At the same time, that means that the most cost-efficient and easily available measures are already used. The Norwegian indicative renewable target for 2030 is ten percentage points higher than the national target for the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy of 67,5 % in 2020.

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 194(2) in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Agreement on the European Economic Area (2) (the ‘EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.

(2) Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement.

(3) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/759 (3) and Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) should be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(4) Several provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 require substantive adaptations that reflect the specificities of the EEA Agreement and of the EFTA States.

(5) Since the Union’s binding renewable energy target does not apply to the EFTA States, the Union target set out in Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should not apply to EFTA States. That Article was therefore adapted accordingly. However, the EFTA States set out in a voluntary manner their national indicative targets for renewable energy, as set out in the Declaration of EFTA States attached to the EEA Joint Committee Decision. Consequently, the EFTA States should not be part of the Union renewable development platform nor partake in statistical transfers with the Member States. Article 8 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should therefore not apply to the EFTA States.

(6) Given the Iceland’s remote geographical location and related challenges with calculating gross final consumption of energy in relation to the amount of energy consumed in aviation, the same threshold as that granted to Cyprus and Malta in Article 7 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 should apply to Iceland.

(7) As regards the permit-granting procedures set out in Article 16 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, the Joint Committee Decision should take into account the particular obligations of Norway to consult the Sami people, so to ensure that the time periods for the permit-granting process referred to in Article 16(4), (5) and (6) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 may be extended for up to one year.

(8) The EFTA States should follow the Union policy with respect to mutual recognition of guarantees of origin with third countries set out in Article 19(11) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Accordingly, they should not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country unless the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country, and unless the criteria set out in that Article are met. Article 19(11) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 was therefore adapted accordingly.

(9) Since Norway and Iceland have high shares of renewable electricity and Norway uses that electricity predominantly for heating purposes while Iceland covers its heating demand from either renewable geothermal sources or renewable electricity, it is appropriate to adapt the calculation methods relating to the mainstreaming of heating and cooling set out in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

(10) Furthermore, it is currently not possible for Liechtenstein to apply Articles 25 to 31 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on renewable energy in the transport sector and sustainability requirements for renewable fuels, given that policy on fuels is regulated in the regional union of Liechtenstein with Switzerland. Therefore, a temporary derogation should be granted to Liechtenstein, taking into account that it applies within that regional union a system of increasing biofuels based on a CO2 compensation mechanism with a target of 23 % applicable since 2024. The derogation should only apply until Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement.

(11) Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.

(12) The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The position to be adopted, on behalf of the Union, within the EEA Joint Committee on the proposed amendment of Annex IV (Energy) to the EEA Agreement, shall be based on the draft decision of the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
The text of point 41 (Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council) of Annex IV to the EEA Agreement is replaced by the following:
                  ‘

                  32018 L 2001: Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82), as corrected by OJ L 311, 25.9.2020, p. 11 and OJ L 41, 22.2.2022, p. 37, as amended by:
—

32022 R 0759: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/759 of 14 December 2021 (OJ L 139, 18.5.2022, p. 1).

Decisions on recognition of voluntary schemes for demonstrating compliance with the sustainability criteria under Directives 98/70/EC and (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council are referred to in Chapter XVII of Annex II.

The provisions of the Directive shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be read with the following adaptations:

(a) Articles 3(1), 3(5), 3(6), 5(4), 5(5) and 8 shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(b) In Article 3:

(i) in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:

“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;

(ii) in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:

“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(c) In Article 4:

(i) in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:

“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;

(ii) in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(d) In Article 5(2), the words “Union law on the internal market in electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market in electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(e) In Articles 4(9), 6(1), 21(7) and 22(7), the words “Articles 107 and 108 TFEU” shall be replaced by “Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement”.

(f) In the third subparagraph of Article 7(5), the word “, Iceland” shall be inserted after the word “Cyprus”.

(g) In Article 16(4) and (5), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people” shall be inserted after the words “extraordinary circumstances”.

(h) In Article 16(6), the words “, or where Norway has a duty to consult the Sami people,” shall be inserted after the word “installation”.

(i) In Article 19(11), the following subparagraphs shall be added:

“EFTA States shall not recognise guarantees of origin issued by a third country except where the Union has concluded an agreement with that third country on mutual recognition of guarantees of origin issued in the Union and compatible guarantees of origin systems established in that third country, and the EFTA States have concluded a substantially equivalent agreement with that third country, and only where there is a direct import or export of energy.

The EFTA States shall endeavour to conclude agreements referred to in the first subparagraph.”.

(j) In Articles 19(12) and 36(3), the words “Union law” shall be replaced by the words “the EEA Agreement”.

(k) In Article 20(3), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, their respective national indicative renewable energy target set in accordance with Article 3(2)” shall be inserted after the words “Union target set in Article 3(1) of this Directive”.

(l) In Article 23(1), the words “and calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Article 7, without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this Article” shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(m) In Article 23(2)(b), the words “or, as regards the EFTA States, where its share of renewable energy, including renewable electricity, used in the heating and cooling sector is above 60 %, may count any such share as fulfilling the average annual increase” shall be inserted after the words “the average annual increase”.

(n) In Article 29(1)(a), the words “contributing towards the Union target set in Article 3(1) and” shall not apply to the EFTA States.

(o) Articles 25 to 31 shall not apply to Liechtenstein until incorporation of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into the EEA Agreement.

(p) The following shall be added to the table in point A of Annex I:
Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)

Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)

“Iceland

55,0  %

64 %

Norway

58,2  %

67,5  %

Liechtenstein

7 %

24 %”

(q) In points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 6 of Annex IV, the words “national and Union law” shall be replaced by “national law and legislation applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.’
The texts of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/759 and Directive (EU) 2018/2001, as corrected by OJ L 311, 25.9.2020, p. 11 and OJ L 41, 22.2.2022, p. 37, in the Icelandic and Norwegian languages, to be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union, shall be authentic.
This Decision shall enter into force on …, provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement have been made (*1).
This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1429 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1429
15.7.2025

(1)
On 25 November 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319.

(2)
On 28 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1574(2), which amended Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, thereby establishing a dedicated framework for targeted restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti and for actions that undermine democracy or the rule of law in Haiti, as well as against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them.

(3)
In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council stated that it remained extremely concerned about the situation in Haiti and called for new targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for violence, with the objective of helping to restore peace, security, stability, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti.

(4)
In view of the deteriorating political, economic, security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, including the results of escalating gang violence, the unremitting serious human rights abuses committed by gangs, and the continuing impunity for the perpetrators, three persons should be added to the list of natural persons subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319.

(5)
Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 should therefore be amended accordingly,

Name
Identifying information
Statement of reasons
Date of listing

‘4.
Micanor ALTÈSa.k.a. Monel Felix, Micanord;Mikano;Wa Mikanò; King Micanor;Alfred Mones
Function: Wharf Jérémie gang leaderNationality: HaitianGender: maleAddress: Neighbourhood of Wharf Jérémie, near La Saline, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Micanor Altès is the leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang. Wharf Jérémie is a coastal neighbourhood in the La Saline area of Port-au-Prince. This zone has been under the control of the gang led by Micanor Altès for over a decade.Under his command, the gang is responsible for the massacre of 207 people between 6 and 11 December, 2024 in the Wharf Jérémie district. The massacre occurred after the death of Altès’ new born son from an unknown illness. Convinced that elderly Voodoo practitioners in the area under his control had cast a spell on his child, the gang leader ordered the execution of all inhabitants over 60 practicing Voodoo, after kidnapping them.Micanor Altès is therefore responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haïti, including engaging in criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks.
15.7.2025

5.
Christ-Roi CHÉRYa.k.a. Kris-La; Krisla; Chrisla; Chrislat
Function: Ti Bwa gang leader (affiliated with Viv Ansanm/G9 Coalition of gangs)Nationality: HaitianGender: maleAddress: Commune of Carrefour, Metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Christ-Roi Chéry is the leader of the Ti Bwa gang, which is affiliated with the Viv Ansanm (also called G9) coalition of gangs in Haiti.Since February 2024, the Ti Bwa gang has controlled the commune of Carrefour.Under Christ-Roi Chéry’s command, the Ti Bwa gang is engaged in violence and criminal activities in Haiti, including murder, robbery, rape, hijacking of goods and trucks, extortion, targeted assassinations and drugs trafficking.Christ-Roi Chéry is therefore responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haiti, including engaging in criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence, including forcible recruitment of children by such groups and networks, kidnappings, homicides and sexual and gender-based violence.
15.7.2025

6.
Jeff LAROSEa.k.a. Jeff; Gwo Lwa; Taliban
Function: Canaan gang leader(affiliated with G-Pép and Viv Ansanm coalitions of gangs)Nationality: HaitianGender: maleAddress: Canaan, Metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Jeff Larose is the leader of the Canaan gang, which is affiliated with the G-Pép and Viv Ansanm coalitions of gangs in Haiti.The Canaan gang controls the localities of Canaan, Onaville, Jerusalem, Corail, Rosemberg, Lilavois, Bon Repos, all located in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The gang extended its control over its original territory and also operates in Mirebalais (Centre department).Under Jeff Larose’s command, the Canaan gang is engaged in violence and criminal activities in Haiti, including kidnapping, land appropriation, rape, home burglary, hijacking of goods and vehicles, ransoming, murder and drug trafficking.Jeff Larose is therefore responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haiti, including engaging in criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence, including forcible recruitment of children by such groups and networks, kidnappings, homicides and sexual and gender-based violence.
15.7.2025’

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 of 25 November 2022 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti (1), and in particular Article 4(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 25 November 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319.

(2) On 28 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1574 (2), which amended Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, thereby establishing a dedicated framework for targeted restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti and for actions that undermine democracy or the rule of law in Haiti, as well as against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them.

(3) In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council stated that it remained extremely concerned about the situation in Haiti and called for new targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for violence, with the objective of helping to restore peace, security, stability, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti.

(4) In view of the deteriorating political, economic, security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, including the results of escalating gang violence, the unremitting serious human rights abuses committed by gangs, and the continuing impunity for the perpetrators, three persons should be added to the list of natural persons subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319.

(5) Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
In Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, the following entries are added to the table under the heading ‘A. List of natural persons referred to in Article 2a(1) and in Article 3a(1)’:

Name

Identifying information

Statement of reasons

Date of listing

‘4. Micanor ALTÈS

a.k.a. Monel Felix, Micanord;

Mikano;

Wa Mikanò; King Micanor;

Alfred Mones

Function: Wharf Jérémie gang leader

Nationality: Haitian

Gender: male

Address: Neighbourhood of Wharf Jérémie, near La Saline, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Micanor Altès is the leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang. Wharf Jérémie is a coastal neighbourhood in the La Saline area of Port-au-Prince. This zone has been under the control of the gang led by Micanor Altès for over a decade.

Under his command, the gang is responsible for the massacre of 207 people between 6 and 11 December, 2024 in the Wharf Jérémie district. The massacre occurred after the death of Altès’ new born son from an unknown illness. Convinced that elderly Voodoo practitioners in the area under his control had cast a spell on his child, the gang leader ordered the execution of all inhabitants over 60 practicing Voodoo, after kidnapping them.

Micanor Altès is therefore responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haïti, including engaging in criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks.

15.7.2025 5. Christ-Roi CHÉRY

a.k.a. Kris-La; Krisla; Chrisla; Chrislat

Function: Ti Bwa gang leader (affiliated with Viv Ansanm/G9 Coalition of gangs)

Nationality: Haitian

Gender: male

Address: Commune of Carrefour, Metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Christ-Roi Chéry is the leader of the Ti Bwa gang, which is affiliated with the Viv Ansanm (also called G9) coalition of gangs in Haiti.

Since February 2024, the Ti Bwa gang has controlled the commune of Carrefour.

Under Christ-Roi Chéry’s command, the Ti Bwa gang is engaged in violence and criminal activities in Haiti, including murder, robbery, rape, hijacking of goods and trucks, extortion, targeted assassinations and drugs trafficking.

Christ-Roi Chéry is therefore responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haiti, including engaging in criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence, including forcible recruitment of children by such groups and networks, kidnappings, homicides and sexual and gender-based violence.

15.7.2025 6. Jeff LAROSE

a.k.a. Jeff; Gwo Lwa; Taliban

Function: Canaan gang leader

(affiliated with G-Pép and Viv Ansanm coalitions of gangs)

Nationality: Haitian

Gender: male

Address: Canaan, Metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Jeff Larose is the leader of the Canaan gang, which is affiliated with the G-Pép and Viv Ansanm coalitions of gangs in Haiti.

The Canaan gang controls the localities of Canaan, Onaville, Jerusalem, Corail, Rosemberg, Lilavois, Bon Repos, all located in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The gang extended its control over its original territory and also operates in Mirebalais (Centre department).

Under Jeff Larose’s command, the Canaan gang is engaged in violence and criminal activities in Haiti, including kidnapping, land appropriation, rape, home burglary, hijacking of goods and vehicles, ransoming, murder and drug trafficking.

Jeff Larose is therefore responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haiti, including engaging in criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence, including forcible recruitment of children by such groups and networks, kidnappings, homicides and sexual and gender-based violence.

15.7.2025’

Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1425 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1425
15.7.2025

(1)
On 27 May 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484(1).

(2)
The Union remains unwavering in its condemnation of the human rights violations and repressions in Russia. On 27 January 2025, the Council approved conclusions on Union priorities in UN Human Rights fora in 2025. The Union condemned the silencing of dissenting voices, civil society, independent media and stigmatised groups in the Russian Federation, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Russia and to end the persecution of the political opposition.

(3)
In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that 5 natural persons should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484.

(4)
Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 should therefore be amended accordingly,

Name
Identifying information
Statement of Reasons
Date of listing

‘48.
Roman Viktorovich VLADIMIROV(Роман Викторович ВЛАДИМИРОВ)
Position: Judge of the 2nd Western District Military Court, RussiaDOB: 9.2.1987Nationality: RussianGender: male
Roman Vladimirov, serving as a judge of the 2nd Western District Military Court, sentenced Alexei Gorinov, a former municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 3 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises “justification of terrorism”, and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on comments made by Alexei Gorinov in a conversation with his cellmates, in which he merely recognised that Crimea was Ukrainian territory and that the Azov regiment was part of the Ukrainian army. The conversation was provoked by Alexei Gorinov’s cellmates and recorded by prison officials while he was serving his previous sentence of 6 years and 11 months for his anti-war statements at a public municipal meeting.Therefore, Roman Vladimirov is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.
15.7.2025

49.
Katerina Evgenievna KIRICHENKOYekaterina Evgenievna KIRICHENKO(Катерина Евгеньевна КИРИЧЕНКО/ Екатерина Евгеньевна КИРИЧЕНКО)
Position: Judge of Presnensky District Court, MoscowDOB: 1.11.1986Nationality: RussianGender: female
Katerina Kirichenko, serving as a judge of the Presnensky District Court in Moscow, was involved in several politically motivated prosecution cases, and was responsible for imposing arbitrary pre-trial detention and disproportionately harsh punishments.In 2022, Katerina Kirichenko participated in the politically motivated prosecution of Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine during a public municipal meeting. She ordered that Alexei Gorinov be held in pre-trial detention, not resorting to any less restrictive measures such as house arrest or bail, despite his severe health issues, bad conditions in Russia’s detention centres, and despite the fact that he was the primary caregiver for his chronically ill wife. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found Alexei Gorinov’s detention to be in violation of international human rights and therefore arbitrary. Katerina Kirichenko’s misuse of pre-trial detention in politically motivated cases is evident also in other instances. She issued detention warrants for several participants in the 2019 Moscow protests, despite their charges being of a minor nature. Moreover, in 2022, Katerina Kirichenko sentenced Daniil Tikhomirov to a disproportionately harsh punishment of one and a half years in a prison colony for assaulting a police officer, after he was stopped by police for waving an anti-war flag from his car.Therefore, Katerina Kirichenko is responsible for serious human rights violations and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.
15.7.2025

50.
Larisa Tikhonovna MARTYNOVA(Лариса Тихоновна МАРТЫНОВА)
Position: Judge of the Moscow City CourtDOB: 10.6.1964Nationality: RussianGender: female
Larisa Martynova is a judge of the Moscow City Court. In 2022, Larisa Martynova, as a member of the appellate panel of judges of the Moscow City Court, sentenced Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 6 years and 11 months in a general regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. She also agreed to close the court hearing to the public.Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises the dissemination of so-called “false information” about the Russian armed forces and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on Alexei Gorinov’s anti-war statements during a public municipal meeting. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Larisa Martynova’s ruling therefore not only led to Alexei Gorinov’s unjust incarceration but also resulted in cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.Therefore, Larisa Martynova is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition.
15.7.2025

51.
Maksim Bronislavovich SOKOLOVSKIY(Максим Брониславович СОКОЛОВСКИЙ)
Position: Former judge of the Moscow City Court, from 10 May 2023 Chairman of the Khoroshevsky District CourtDOB: 31.5.1977Nationality: RussianGender: male
As presiding judge of the appellate panel of judges of the Moscow City Court in 2022, Maksim Sokolovskiy sentenced Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 6 years and 11 months in a general regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He also ordered that the court hearing be closed to the public.Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises the dissemination of so-called “false information” about the Russian armed forces and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on Alexei Gorinov’s anti-war statements during a public municipal meeting. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Maksim Sokolovskiy’s ruling therefore not only led to Alexei Gorinov’s unjust incarceration but also resulted in cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.Therefore, Maksim Sokolovskiy is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.
15.7.2025

52.
Elena Leonidovna ZHURAVLEVA(Елена Леонидовна ЖУРАВЛËВА)
Position: Judge of the Moscow City CourtDOB: 13.10.1976Nationality: RussianGender: female
Elena Zhuravleva, as a member of the appellate panel of judges of the Moscow City Court in 2022, sentenced Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 6 years and 11 months in a general regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. She also agreed to close the court hearing to the public.Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises the dissemination of so-called “false information” about the Russian armed forces and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on Alexei Gorinov’s anti-war statements during a public municipal meeting. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Elena Zhuravleva’s ruling therefore not only led to Alexei Gorinov’s unjust incarceration but also resulted in cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.Therefore, Elena Zhuravleva is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.
15.7.2025’

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 27 May 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 (1).

(2) The Union remains unwavering in its condemnation of the human rights violations and repressions in Russia. On 27 January 2025, the Council approved conclusions on Union priorities in UN Human Rights fora in 2025. The Union condemned the silencing of dissenting voices, civil society, independent media and stigmatised groups in the Russian Federation, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Russia and to end the persecution of the political opposition.

(3) In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that 5 natural persons should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484.

(4) Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The following entries are added to the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 under heading ‘A. Natural persons’:

Name

Identifying information

Statement of Reasons

Date of listing

‘48. Roman Viktorovich VLADIMIROV

(Роман Викторович ВЛАДИМИРОВ)

Position: Judge of the 2nd Western District Military Court, Russia

DOB: 9.2.1987

Nationality: Russian

Gender: male

Roman Vladimirov, serving as a judge of the 2nd Western District Military Court, sentenced Alexei Gorinov, a former municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 3 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises “justification of terrorism”, and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on comments made by Alexei Gorinov in a conversation with his cellmates, in which he merely recognised that Crimea was Ukrainian territory and that the Azov regiment was part of the Ukrainian army. The conversation was provoked by Alexei Gorinov’s cellmates and recorded by prison officials while he was serving his previous sentence of 6 years and 11 months for his anti-war statements at a public municipal meeting.

Therefore, Roman Vladimirov is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.

15.7.2025 49. Katerina Evgenievna KIRICHENKO

Yekaterina Evgenievna KIRICHENKO

(Катерина Евгеньевна КИРИЧЕНКО/ Екатерина Евгеньевна КИРИЧЕНКО)

Position: Judge of Presnensky District Court, Moscow

DOB: 1.11.1986

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Katerina Kirichenko, serving as a judge of the Presnensky District Court in Moscow, was involved in several politically motivated prosecution cases, and was responsible for imposing arbitrary pre-trial detention and disproportionately harsh punishments.

In 2022, Katerina Kirichenko participated in the politically motivated prosecution of Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine during a public municipal meeting. She ordered that Alexei Gorinov be held in pre-trial detention, not resorting to any less restrictive measures such as house arrest or bail, despite his severe health issues, bad conditions in Russia’s detention centres, and despite the fact that he was the primary caregiver for his chronically ill wife. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found Alexei Gorinov’s detention to be in violation of international human rights and therefore arbitrary. Katerina Kirichenko’s misuse of pre-trial detention in politically motivated cases is evident also in other instances. She issued detention warrants for several participants in the 2019 Moscow protests, despite their charges being of a minor nature. Moreover, in 2022, Katerina Kirichenko sentenced Daniil Tikhomirov to a disproportionately harsh punishment of one and a half years in a prison colony for assaulting a police officer, after he was stopped by police for waving an anti-war flag from his car.

Therefore, Katerina Kirichenko is responsible for serious human rights violations and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.

15.7.2025 50. Larisa Tikhonovna MARTYNOVA

(Лариса Тихоновна МАРТЫНОВА)

Position: Judge of the Moscow City Court

DOB: 10.6.1964

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Larisa Martynova is a judge of the Moscow City Court. In 2022, Larisa Martynova, as a member of the appellate panel of judges of the Moscow City Court, sentenced Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 6 years and 11 months in a general regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. She also agreed to close the court hearing to the public.

Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises the dissemination of so-called “false information” about the Russian armed forces and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on Alexei Gorinov’s anti-war statements during a public municipal meeting. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Larisa Martynova’s ruling therefore not only led to Alexei Gorinov’s unjust incarceration but also resulted in cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.

Therefore, Larisa Martynova is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition.

15.7.2025 51. Maksim Bronislavovich SOKOLOVSKIY

(Максим Брониславович СОКОЛОВСКИЙ)

Position: Former judge of the Moscow City Court, from 10 May 2023 Chairman of the Khoroshevsky District Court

DOB: 31.5.1977

Nationality: Russian

Gender: male

As presiding judge of the appellate panel of judges of the Moscow City Court in 2022, Maksim Sokolovskiy sentenced Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 6 years and 11 months in a general regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He also ordered that the court hearing be closed to the public.

Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises the dissemination of so-called “false information” about the Russian armed forces and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on Alexei Gorinov’s anti-war statements during a public municipal meeting. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Maksim Sokolovskiy’s ruling therefore not only led to Alexei Gorinov’s unjust incarceration but also resulted in cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.

Therefore, Maksim Sokolovskiy is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.

15.7.2025 52. Elena Leonidovna ZHURAVLEVA

(Елена Леонидовна ЖУРАВЛËВА)

Position: Judge of the Moscow City Court

DOB: 13.10.1976

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Elena Zhuravleva, as a member of the appellate panel of judges of the Moscow City Court in 2022, sentenced Alexei Gorinov, then a municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, to 6 years and 11 months in a general regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. She also agreed to close the court hearing to the public.

Alexei Gorinov was sentenced under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalises the dissemination of so-called “false information” about the Russian armed forces and is widely used to suppress freedom of opinion and expression. The conviction was based on Alexei Gorinov’s anti-war statements during a public municipal meeting. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Elena Zhuravleva’s ruling therefore not only led to Alexei Gorinov’s unjust incarceration but also resulted in cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.

Therefore, Elena Zhuravleva is responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.

15.7.2025’

Council Decision (EU) 2025/1415 of 8 July 2025 on the position to be taken on behalf of the Union within the Assembly of the Special Union established by the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration with regard to the proposed amendments to the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act of that Agreement

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1415
15.7.2025

(1)
The Union is a Contracting Party to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (the ‘Geneva Act’)(1), which entered into force on 26 February 2020. Pursuant to Article 21 of the Geneva Act, its Contracting Parties are members of the Assembly of the Special Union established by the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration (the ‘Lisbon Agreement’).

(2)
Pursuant to Article 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Geneva Act, the Assembly of the Special Union is empowered to amend the Regulations under the Geneva Act.

(3)
During the sixty-sixth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to be held from 8 to 17 July 2025, the Assembly of the Special Union will be invited to adopt amendments to the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act (the ‘Common Regulations’).

(4)
It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Assembly of the Special Union as those amendments will be binding on the Union.

(5)
In its sixth session, which took place in Geneva from 17 to 20 March 2025, the Working Group on the Development of the Lisbon System (the ‘Lisbon Working Group’) recommended to the Assembly of the Special Union the adoption of various amendments to the Common Regulations, as proposed by the WIPO Secretariat and modified by the Lisbon Working Group. The Lisbon System is the international system for the international registration of appellations of origin and geographical indications.

(6)
The proposed amendment to Rule 1(1) of the Common Regulations updates the definition of ‘official form’ in subparagraph (vi) thereof to include a reference to the electronic interface (e-Lisbon), which has been made available by the International Bureau of WIPO to competent authorities of the Lisbon System on WIPO’s website.

(7)
The proposed amendments to Rule 8(9) of the Common Regulations update the current version of that provision by clarifying the relevant date for determining the amount of fees to be paid under Rules 5(2)(c), 15(2)(a), 7(4)(a) and 7(4)(d) of the Common Regulations as well as in all other cases under the current version of Rule 8(9), respectively, taking into account the different specificities under the Common Regulations.

(8)
The proposed amendments to Rule 15(1) of the Common Regulations introduce new subparagraphs (vii) to (ix) to extend the list of modifications that can be recorded in the WIPO International Register. The proposed new paragraph (5) of Rule 15 of the Common Regulations introduces the possibility for a Contracting Party to notify a refusal if it is not in a position to ensure the protection of an appellation of origin or geographical indication because of such a modification.

(9)
The proposed amendment to Rule 18(4) of the Common Regulations aligns the wording of that provision with the proposed new paragraph (5) of Rule 15 of the Common Regulations.

(10)
The Union should support the adoption of those amendments,

1)
In the heading, ‘as in force on July 14, 2023’ is replaced by ‘as in force on July 1, 2026’.

2)
In Rule 1 (1) (Abbreviated Expressions), subparagraph (vi) is replaced by the following:‘“Official Form” means a form drawn up by the International Bureau or an electronic interface made available by the International Bureau on the website of the Organization;’

3)
Rule 8 (9) (Change in the Amount of the Fees) is replaced by the following:‘(a)Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.(b)Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.(c)Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.(d)Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’
‘(a)
Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.
(b)
Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.
(c)
Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.
(d)
Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’

‘(a)
Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(b)
Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(c)
Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(d)
Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’

‘(a)
Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(b)
Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(c)
Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(d)
Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’

4)
In Rule 15, paragraph (1) (Permissible Modifications), the following points are added:‘(vii)a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;(viii)a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;(ix)a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’
‘(vii)
a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;
(viii)
a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;
(ix)
a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’

‘(vii)
a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;

(viii)
a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;

(ix)
a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’

‘(vii)
a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;

(viii)
a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;

(ix)
a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’

5)
In Rule 15, the following new paragraph (5) (Application of Rules 9 to 12) is added:‘(5)(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’
‘(5)
(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’
(a)
Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(b)
Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

‘(5)
(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’
(a)
Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(b)
Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

(a)
Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(b)
Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

‘(5)
(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’
(a)
Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(b)
Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

(a)
Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(b)
Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

(a)
Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(b)
Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

6)
Rule 18 (4) (Application of Rules 9 to 12) is replaced by the following:‘Where the correction of an error concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the correction. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the correction. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Union is a Contracting Party to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (the ‘Geneva Act’) (1), which entered into force on 26 February 2020. Pursuant to Article 21 of the Geneva Act, its Contracting Parties are members of the Assembly of the Special Union established by the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration (the ‘Lisbon Agreement’).

(2) Pursuant to Article 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Geneva Act, the Assembly of the Special Union is empowered to amend the Regulations under the Geneva Act.

(3) During the sixty-sixth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to be held from 8 to 17 July 2025, the Assembly of the Special Union will be invited to adopt amendments to the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act (the ‘Common Regulations’).

(4) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Assembly of the Special Union as those amendments will be binding on the Union.

(5) In its sixth session, which took place in Geneva from 17 to 20 March 2025, the Working Group on the Development of the Lisbon System (the ‘Lisbon Working Group’) recommended to the Assembly of the Special Union the adoption of various amendments to the Common Regulations, as proposed by the WIPO Secretariat and modified by the Lisbon Working Group. The Lisbon System is the international system for the international registration of appellations of origin and geographical indications.

(6) The proposed amendment to Rule 1(1) of the Common Regulations updates the definition of ‘official form’ in subparagraph (vi) thereof to include a reference to the electronic interface (e-Lisbon), which has been made available by the International Bureau of WIPO to competent authorities of the Lisbon System on WIPO’s website.

(7) The proposed amendments to Rule 8(9) of the Common Regulations update the current version of that provision by clarifying the relevant date for determining the amount of fees to be paid under Rules 5(2)(c), 15(2)(a), 7(4)(a) and 7(4)(d) of the Common Regulations as well as in all other cases under the current version of Rule 8(9), respectively, taking into account the different specificities under the Common Regulations.

(8) The proposed amendments to Rule 15(1) of the Common Regulations introduce new subparagraphs (vii) to (ix) to extend the list of modifications that can be recorded in the WIPO International Register. The proposed new paragraph (5) of Rule 15 of the Common Regulations introduces the possibility for a Contracting Party to notify a refusal if it is not in a position to ensure the protection of an appellation of origin or geographical indication because of such a modification.

(9) The proposed amendment to Rule 18(4) of the Common Regulations aligns the wording of that provision with the proposed new paragraph (5) of Rule 15 of the Common Regulations.

(10) The Union should support the adoption of those amendments,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Assembly of the Special Union, established by the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, to be held in the framework of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 8 to 17 July 2025, shall be to support the adoption of the amendments to the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act of that Agremeent as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

The representatives of the Union may also agree to modifications to the proposed amendments, provided that they do not significantly alter their substance.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

to the

Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and Their International Registration and the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications

as recommended by the WIPO Working Group for the Development of the Lisbon System for adoption by the Lisbon Union in the framework of the WIPO General Assemblies 2025: 1)

In the heading, ‘as in force on July 14, 2023’ is replaced by ‘as in force on July 1, 2026’. 2)

In Rule 1 (1) (Abbreviated Expressions), subparagraph (vi) is replaced by the following:

‘“Official Form” means a form drawn up by the International Bureau or an electronic interface made available by the International Bureau on the website of the Organization;’ 3)

Rule 8 (9) (Change in the Amount of the Fees) is replaced by the following:

‘(a) Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(b) Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(c) Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.

(d) Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’ 4)

In Rule 15, paragraph (1) (Permissible Modifications), the following points are added:

‘(vii) a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;

(viii) a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;

(ix) a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’ 5)

In Rule 15, the following new paragraph (5) (Application of Rules 9 to 12) is added:

‘(5) (a) Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(b) Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’ 6)

Rule 18 (4) (Application of Rules 9 to 12) is replaced by the following:

                                 ‘Where the correction of an error concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the correction. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the correction. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1414 of 9 July 2025 on the reconfirmation of the authorisation of the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/2/2025)

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1414
18.7.2025

(1)
On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) for the period until 31 March 2021.

(2)
Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 provides that, notwithstanding that period, the authorisation of the operation is to be reconfirmed every four months and that the Political and Security Committee is to prolong the operation unless the deployment of maritime assets of the operation produces a pull effect on migration on the basis of substantiated evidence gathered according to the criteria set out in the Operations Plan.

(3)
On 11 March 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/488(2), which extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2027, subject to the same reconfirmation procedure.

(4)
The Operation Commander provided monthly pull factor reports.

(5)
The authorisation of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be reconfirmed for the seventeenth four-month sub-period of its mandate and the operation should be prolonged accordingly,

THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 of 31 March 2020 on a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (1), and in particular Article 8(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) for the period until 31 March 2021.

(2) Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 provides that, notwithstanding that period, the authorisation of the operation is to be reconfirmed every four months and that the Political and Security Committee is to prolong the operation unless the deployment of maritime assets of the operation produces a pull effect on migration on the basis of substantiated evidence gathered according to the criteria set out in the Operations Plan.

(3) On 11 March 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/488 (2), which extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2027, subject to the same reconfirmation procedure.

(4) The Operation Commander provided monthly pull factor reports.

(5) The authorisation of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be reconfirmed for the seventeenth four-month sub-period of its mandate and the operation should be prolonged accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
The authorisation of the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) is hereby reconfirmed and the operation is prolonged from 1 August 2025 to 30 November 2025.
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1413 of 9 July 2025 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/1611 (BiH/40/2025)

                                January 13, 2026                            

Official Journalof the European Union
ENL series

2025/1413
21.7.2025

(1)
On 12 July 2004, the Council adopted Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP, which provides for a European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation ALTHEA).

(2)
Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take relevant decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for Operation ALTHEA (the ‘EU Operation Commander’).

(3)
On 8 October 2018, the PSC decided in principle that the Vice-Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is to be appointed as EU Operation Commander as from 29 March 2019, subject to NATO confirming that person’s availability.

(4)
On 7 December 2018, the North Atlantic Council confirmed the availability of the Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE to assume the role of EU Operation Commander under the ‘Berlin plus’ Arrangements as from 29 March 2019.

(5)
On 13 September 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1611(2), appointing Lieutenant General Hubert COTTEREAU, Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE, as EU Operation Commander.

(6)
On 16 June 2025, NATO decided to appoint Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY as Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE, replacing Lieutenant General Hubert COTTEREAU as from 1 August 2025. Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY should also replace, as from that date, Lieutenant General Hubert COTTEREAU in his capacity as EU Operation Commander.

(7)
On 24 June 2025, the EU Military Committee agreed to recommend the nomination of Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY as EU Operation Commander as from 1 August 2025.

(8)
Decision (CFSP) 2022/1611 should therefore be repealed.

(9)
On 12 and 13 December 2002, the Copenhagen European Council adopted a declaration stating that the ‘Berlin plus’ arrangements and the implementation thereof will apply only to those Member States of the Union which are also either NATO members or parties to the ‘Partnership for Peace’, and which have consequently concluded bilateral security agreements with NATO,

THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,

Having regard to Council Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 12 July 2004, the Council adopted Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP, which provides for a European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation ALTHEA).

(2) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take relevant decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for Operation ALTHEA (the ‘EU Operation Commander’).

(3) On 8 October 2018, the PSC decided in principle that the Vice-Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is to be appointed as EU Operation Commander as from 29 March 2019, subject to NATO confirming that person’s availability.

(4) On 7 December 2018, the North Atlantic Council confirmed the availability of the Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE to assume the role of EU Operation Commander under the ‘Berlin plus’ Arrangements as from 29 March 2019.

(5) On 13 September 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1611 (2), appointing Lieutenant General Hubert COTTEREAU, Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE, as EU Operation Commander.

(6) On 16 June 2025, NATO decided to appoint Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY as Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE, replacing Lieutenant General Hubert COTTEREAU as from 1 August 2025. Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY should also replace, as from that date, Lieutenant General Hubert COTTEREAU in his capacity as EU Operation Commander.

(7) On 24 June 2025, the EU Military Committee agreed to recommend the nomination of Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY as EU Operation Commander as from 1 August 2025.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2022/1611 should therefore be repealed.

(9) On 12 and 13 December 2002, the Copenhagen European Council adopted a declaration stating that the ‘Berlin plus’ arrangements and the implementation thereof will apply only to those Member States of the Union which are also either NATO members or parties to the ‘Partnership for Peace’, and which have consequently concluded bilateral security agreements with NATO,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Lieutenant General Ludovic PINON de QUINCY, Vice-Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), is appointed as EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as from 1 August 2025.
Decision (CFSP) 2022/1611 is hereby repealed.
This Decision shall enter into force on 1 August 2025.

	Name	Identifying information	Statement of reasons	Date of listing
‘17.	Alexandru BEȘCHIERU	Function: Leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova”) political partyDOB: 5.7.1990POB: Chișinău, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova	Alexandru Beșchieru is the leader of the “Forța de Alternativă și de Salvare a Moldovei” (“FASM”) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including FASM.As the leader of FASM, Alexandru Beșchieru represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.	15.7.2025
18.	Victoria FURTUNĂ	Function: Politician – Leader of the “Moldova Mare” political partyDOB: 24.2.1981POB: Hâncești, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova	Victoria Furtună is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has received significant support from Ilan Shor and the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which is the successor of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by Ilan Shor. In particular, during the 2024 Presidential election, members of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc were encouraged to vote for Victoria Furtună, including through bribing schemes. Moreover, in breach of electoral laws prohibiting campaigning during the day of the elections, listed person Ilan Shor and his associates instructed their supporters to vote for Victoria Furtună.Therefore, she is associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. She is also associated with Ilan Shor.	15.7.2025
19.	Vadim GROZAVU	Function: Leader of the “Victorie” (Victory) political partyDOB: 2.12.1984POB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova	Vadim Grozavu is the leader of the “Victorie” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Victory.As the leader of Victory, Vadim Grozavu represents the party and coordinates its activities.He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.	15.7.2025
20.	Irina MIHAIL LOZOVAN	Function: Politician – “Renaștere” (Revival) political partyDOB: 27.12.1983POB: Lipcani, Republic of MoldovaGender: femaleNationality: Republic of Moldova	Irina Lozovan is a politician in the Republic of Moldova from the Renaștere political party (“Renaștere”/“Revival”)), which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere.Irina Lozovan took part in this event and played an executive role in Ilan Shor’s bribing scheme in the context of the presidential elections and constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024.By seriously undermining the holding of elections, Irina Lozovan is responsible for actions that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova.She is also associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc and Ilan Shor.	15.7.2025
21.	Alexei LUNGU	Function: Journalist, President of “Șansă” (Chance) Political PartyPOB: Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova	Alexei Lungu is the leader of the “Șansă” political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda political bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Șansă.As the leader of Șansă, Alexei Lungu represents the party and coordinates its activities. He is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.	15.7.2025
22.	Alexandr NESTEROVSCHI	Function: PoliticianDOB: 11.1.1981POB: Răuțel, Republic of MoldovaGender: maleNationality: Republic of Moldova	Alexandr Nesterovschi is a politician from the Republic of Moldova who has been involved in bribing schemes organised by listed person Ilan Shor in order to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova to create an apparently pro-European movement, but that was in fact controlled by Ilan Shor from Moscow. During his criminal trial, Alexandr Nesterovschi received support from Russia and Ilan Shor. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for political corruption.By undermining the democratic political process, including by attempting to destabilise or overthrow the constitutional order, Alexandr Nesterovschi is responsible for actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, or democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.	15.7.2025
23.	Natalia PARASCA	Function: Politician; leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party; board member of “Evrazia” organizationDOB: 2.2.1990POB: UkraineGender: femaleNationality: Russian	Natalia Parasca is the leader of the “Renaștere” (Revival) political party, which is one of the successors of the outlawed ȘOR political party, led by listed person Ilan Shor. In April 2024, Ilan Shor launched in Moscow the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, which unites the successors of his party, including Renaștere. As the leader of Renaștere, Natalia Parasca represents the party and coordinates its activities.She is also a member of the board of listed entity Evrazia, which is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Ilan Shor.Natalia Parasca is therefore associated with the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, Ilan Shor and Evrazia.	15.7.2025’

(i)	the following is added:‘, as amended by:—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’;	—	32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’
—	32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’

(iii)	the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (a):‘(b)In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’;	‘(b)	In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’
‘(b)	In Article 2a(2), the words “, and specify how they contribute to achieving the Union’s energy efficiency targets in accordance with Directive 2012/27/EU” shall not apply to the EFTA States.’

(iv)	the following adaptation shall be inserted after adaptation (c):‘(d)In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’;	‘(d)	In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’	(i)	in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;	(ii)	in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
‘(d)	In Article 8:(i)in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;(ii)in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’	(i)	in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;	(ii)	in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’
(i)	in paragraph 3, the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, by [five years] after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “1 January 2025”;
(ii)	in paragraph 6, the words “or, or as regards the EFTA States, one year after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the words “10 March 2021”.’

(v)	the following adaptation is inserted after adaptation (e):‘(f)In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.	‘(f)	In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.
‘(f)	In Articles 14(4) and 15(4), the words “, or, as regards the EFTA States, five years after the entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this Decision]” shall be inserted after the word “2025”.’.

2.	The following indent is added in point 24 (Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council):‘—32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.	‘—	32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.
‘—	32018 L 0844: Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 75).’.

(b)	In Article 3:(i)in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;(ii)in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.	(i)	in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;	(ii)	in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.
(i)	in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph shall be added:“Each EFTA State shall set a national indicative renewable energy target expressed as a share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2030, as part of its respective integrated national energy and climate plan in accordance with Articles 3 to 5 and 9 to 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. In preparing their draft integrated national energy and climate plans, EFTA States may consider the formula referred to in Annex II to that Regulation.”;
(ii)	in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph shall be added:“From 1 January 2026, the share of energy from renewable sources in each EFTA State’s gross final consumption of energy shall not be lower than the baseline share shown in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I. The EFTA States shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with that baseline share.”.

(c)	In Article 4:(i)in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;(ii)in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.	(i)	in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;	(ii)	in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.
(i)	in paragraph 1, the following sentence shall be added:“In order for the EFTA States to reach or exceed their respective national indicative renewable energy targets set in Article 3(2) of this Directive, the EFTA States may apply support schemes.”;
(ii)	in paragraph 3, the words “the applicable Union law on the internal market for electricity” shall be replaced by the words “legislation on the internal market for electricity applicable pursuant to the EEA Agreement”.

(p)	The following shall be added to the table in point A of Annex I:Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)“Iceland55,0 %64 %Norway58,2 %67,5 %Liechtenstein7 %24 %”		Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)	Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)	“Iceland	55,0 %	64 %	Norway	58,2 %	67,5 %	Liechtenstein	7 %	24 %”
	Share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2005 (S2005)	Target for share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, 2020 (S2020)
“Iceland	55,0 %	64 %
Norway	58,2 %	67,5 %
Liechtenstein	7 %	24 %”

3)	Rule 8 (9) (Change in the Amount of the Fees) is replaced by the following:‘(a)Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.(b)Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.(c)Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.(d)Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’	‘(a)	Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.	(b)	Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.	(c)	Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.	(d)	Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’
‘(a)	Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of an application referred to in Rule 5(2)(c) is changed between the date of filing the application and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.
(b)	Where the amount of the fees payable in respect of a request for entry of a modification referred to in Rule 15(2)(a) is changed between the date on which the request was presented and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.
(c)	Where the amount of the fees to be paid in relation to a modification or as an individual fee, in the case referred to in Rule 7(4)(a) and (d), is changed between the date of entry into force of the Geneva Act with respect to a State that is party to the 1967 Act and the date of payment, the fee that was valid on the first date shall be applicable.
(d)	Where the amount of any fee other than the fees referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) is changed, the amount valid on the date on which the fee was received by the International Bureau shall be applicable.’

4)	In Rule 15, paragraph (1) (Permissible Modifications), the following points are added:‘(vii)a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;(viii)a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;(ix)a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’	‘(vii)	a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;	(viii)	a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;	(ix)	a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’
‘(vii)	a modification relating to the appellation of origin or the geographical indication;
(viii)	a modification relating to the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies;
(ix)	a modification relating to the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a) or the information referred to in Rule 5(6)(a)(vi).’

5)	In Rule 15, the following new paragraph (5) (Application of Rules 9 to 12) is added:‘(5)(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’	‘(5)	(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’	(a)	Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.	(b)	Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’
‘(5)	(a)Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.(b)Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’	(a)	Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.	(b)	Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’
(a)	Where the modification concerns the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, or the good or goods to which the appellation of origin or the geographical indication applies, the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(b)	Where the modification concerns the particulars as referred to in Rule 5(3)(a), the Competent Authority of a Contracting Party that has made the notification under Rule 5(3), has the right to declare that it cannot ensure the protection of the appellation of origin or geographical indication because of the modification. The declaration shall be addressed to the International Bureau by such Competent Authority within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the notification by the International Bureau of the modification. Rules 9 to 12 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’