Council Decision (EU) 2026/1790 of 14 July 2026 authorising the Member States to accept, in the interest of the European Union, the accession of Cabo Verde to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/1790 21.7.2026 COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2026/1790 of 14 July 2026 authorising the Member States to accept, in the interest of the European Union, the accession of Cabo Verde to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 81(3) in conjunction with Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (b), and Article 218(8), second subparagraph, thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(1),

Whereas:

(1) The Union has set as one of its aims the promotion of the protection of the rights of the child, as stated in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union. Measures for the protection of children against wrongful removal or retention are an essential part of that policy.

(2) Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1111(2) aims to protect children from the harmful effects of wrongful removal or retention and to establish procedures to ensure their prompt return to the State of their habitual residence, as well as to secure the protection of rights of access and rights of custody.

(3) Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 complements and reinforces the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the ‘1980 Hague Convention’) which establishes, at international level, a system of obligations and cooperation among Contracting States and between central authorities, with the aim of ensuring the prompt return of wrongfully removed or retained children.

(4) All Member States are party to the 1980 Hague Convention.

(5) The Union encourages third states to accede to the 1980 Hague Convention and supports the correct implementation of the 1980 Hague Convention by participating, along with the Member States, inter alia, in the special commissions organised on a regular basis by the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

(6) A common legal framework applicable between Member States and third states could be the best solution for sensitive cases of international child abduction.

(1) Opinion of 17 June 2026 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(2) Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 of 25 June 2019 on jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, and on international child abduction (OJ L 178, 2.7.2019, p. 1, ELI: http://data.

europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1111/oj).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1790/oj 1/3EN OJ L, 21.7.2026

(7) The 1980 Hague Convention stipulates that it applies between the acceding State and such Contracting States as have declared their acceptance of the accession.

(8) The 1980 Hague Convention does not allow regional economic integration organisations such as the Union to become a party to it. Therefore, the Union cannot accede to the 1980 Hague Convention, nor can it deposit a declaration of acceptance of an acceding State.

(9) According to Opinion 1/13 of the Court of Justice of the European Union(3), declarations of acceptance under the 1980 Hague Convention fall within the exclusive external competence of the Union.

(10) Cabo Verde deposited its instrument of accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on 4 October 2022. The 1980 Hague Convention entered into force for Cabo Verde on 1 January 2023.

(11) An assessment of the situation in Cabo Verde has led to the conclusion that the Member States are in a position to accept, in the interest of the Union, the accession of Cabo Verde under the terms of the 1980 Hague Convention.

(12) The Member States should therefore be authorised to deposit their declaration of acceptance of the accession of Cabo Verde in the interest of the Union in accordance with the terms set out in this Decision.

(13) Ireland is bound by Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 and is therefore taking part in the adoption and application of this Decision.

(14) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. The Member States are hereby authorised to accept the accession of Cabo Verde to the 1980 Hague Convention in the interest of the Union.

2. The Member States shall, no later than 15 July 2027, deposit a declaration of acceptance of the accession of Cabo Verde to the 1980 Hague Convention in the interest of the Union, to be worded as follows:

‘[Full name of MEMBER STATE] declares that it accepts the accession of Cabo Verde to the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2026/1790(*) (*) OJ L, 2026/1790, 21.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1790/oj.’.

3. The Member States shall inform the Council and the Commission of the deposit of their declarations of acceptance of the accession of Cabo Verde and shall communicate the text of those declarations to the Commission within two months of their deposit.

(3) ECLI:EU:C:2014:2303.

2/3 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1790/ojEN OJ L, 21.7.2026 Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 14 July 2026.

For the Council The President T. BYRNE

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1790/oj 3/3