(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision (14034/2011),

–  having regard to the draft Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Central African Republic on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the European Union (FLEGT) (14036/2011),

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 207(3) and (4) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C7-0046/2012),

–  having regard to Rules 81 and 90(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade and the opinion of the Committee on Development (A7-0082/2012),

1.  Consents to conclusion of the Agreement;

2.  Calls on the Commission to regularly report to Parliament on progress in the implementation of existing Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) and in negotiating and implementing new VPAs;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Central African Republic.