EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order declares the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Canada, of the other part, signed at Brussels on 30th October 2016 (the Agreement), to be an EU Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.
The Agreement is intended to strengthen relations between the European Union, its Member States and Canada by promoting political dialogue and cooperation in areas of common interest, such as: human rights and democracy, international peace and security and effective multilateralism, economic and sustainable development, and justice, freedom and security.
The principal effect of declaring the Agreement to be an EU Treaty is that the provisions of section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972 (which provide for implementation of treaties specified in orders made under section 1(3) of that Act) apply to it.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been carried out for this Order as there is a negligible impact on the costs to UK business, charities and voluntary bodies.