12.1.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 81 (Non-legislative acts) INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS COUNCIL DECISION of 12 December 2011 concerning the accession of the European Union to the Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974, with the exception of Articles 10 and 11 thereof (2012/22/EV) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 100(2), in conjunction with point (a) of Article 218(6) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament, Whereas: 1 The Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 (‘Athens Protocol’) represents a major improvement to the regime relating to the liability of carriers and the compensation of passengers carried by sea. In particular, it provides for a strict liability of the carrier, including compulsory insurance, with a right of direct action against insurers up to specified limits, and for rules on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments. The Athens Protocol is therefore in accordance with the Union’s objective of improving the legal regime relating to carriers’ liability. The Athens Protocol modifies the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 (‘Athens Convention’) and establishes in Article 15 that the two instruments shall, as between the Parties to the Athens Protocol, be read and inter- preted together as one single instrument. The majority of the rules of the Athens Protocol have been incorporated into Union law by means of Regu- lation (EC) No 392/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents (1). Thus, the Union exerted competence as regards the matters governed by that Regulation. Member States, however, retain their competence regarding a number of provisions of the Athens Protocol, such as the opt out clause whereby they are allowed to fix limits of liability higher than those prescribed under the Athens Protocol. The matters of Member State competence under the Athens Protocol and those falling under the exclusive competence of the Union are interdependent. Therefore, in matters of their competence under the Athens Protocol, Member States should act in a coor- dinated manner, taking into account their duty of sincere cooperation. The Athens Protocol is open for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by States and by Regional Economic  Integration  Organisations  which  are constituted by sovereign States that have transferred competence over certain matters governed by the Athens Protocol to those Organisations. According to Article 17(2)(b) and Article 19 of the Athens Protocol, Regional Economic Integration Organi- sations may conclude the Athens Protocol. The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization adopted in October 2006 the IMO Reser- vation and Guidelines for Implementation of the Athens Convention (IMO Guidelines’) to address certain issues within the Athens Convention, such as, in particular, compensation for terrorism-related damages. Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 reproduces in its annexes the relevant provisions of the consolidated version of the Athens Convention as amended by the Athens Protocol and the IMO Guidelines. () OJ L 131, 28.5.2009, p. 24.