15.3.2014 Official Journal of the European Union L 76/1 (Legislative acts) DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2014/137/EU of 14 March 2014 on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 203 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ('), Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, Whereas: (1) In accordance with the Treaty amending, with regard to Greenland, the Treaties establishing the European Communities (%) (the Greenland Treaty), the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) no longer applies to Greenland. Rather, Greenland, being a part of a Member State, is associated to the Union as one of the overseas countries and territories (OCTs). (20 In its preamble, the Greenland Treaty states that arrangements should be introduced which permit close and lasting links between the Union and Greenland to be maintained and mutual interests, notably the devel- opment needs of Greenland, to be taken into account, and that the arrangements applicable to OCTs set out in Part Four of the TFEU provide an appropriate framework for those relations. (3)  In accordance with Article 198 TFEU, the purpose of association is to promote the economic and social devel- opment of the OCTs and to establish close economic relations between them and the Union as a whole. Pursuant to Article 204 TFEU, the provisions of (") Opinion of 5 February 2014 (not yet published in the Official Journal). ) OJ L 29, 1.2.1985, p. 1. Articles 198 to 203 TFEU apply to Greenland, subject to the specific provisions set out in Protocol (No 34) on special arrangements for Greenland annexed to the TFEU. (4)  The provisions for the application of the principles laid down in Articles 198 to 202 TFEU are set out in Council Decision 2013/755/EU (3). (5)  In its conclusions of 24 February 2003 on the Mid-term Review of the Fourth Fisheries protocol between the European Community, the Government of Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland, and recognising the geostrategic importance of Greenland to the Union and the spirit of cooperation resulting from the Union’s decision to grant the status of overseas territory to Greenland, the Council agreed that there was a need to broaden and strengthen future relations between the Union and Greenland, taking into account the importance of fisheries and the need for structural and sectoral orientated reforms in Greenland. The Council further expressed its commitment to base the future relationship of the Union with Greenland after 2006 on a comprehensive partnership for sustainable development which would include a specific fisheries agreement, negotiated according to the general rules and principles for such agreements. (6)  The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland on the other hand (%), concluded by Council Regulation (EC) No 753/2007 (%), recalls the spirit of cooperation resulting from the decision to grant the status of overseas territory to Greenland. (}) Council Decision 2013/755/EU of 25 November 2013 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union (‘Overseas Association Decision) (O] L 344, 19.12.2013, p. 1). () OJ L 172, 30.6.2007, p. 4. (*) Council Regulation (EC) No 753/2007 of 28 June 2007 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland, on the other hand (O] L 172, 30.6.2007, p. 1).