Dr Joni Heliskoski, LL.M (Helsinki), PhD (Cantab), is Director of European Affairs Management at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland and a plenipotentiary of the Finnish government before the European Court of Justice. Prior to joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2007, he worked in Finland`s permanent representation to the EU, the Ministry of Justice and the Prime Minister`s Office. He is also an associate professor of international law at the University of Helsinki. He has published numerous publications on THE law of eu foreign relations, including on joint agreements. 18 See the corresponding EU Council website on the ratification process of the two agreements: www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents-publications/agreements-conventions/agreement/?aid=2011057 (the last call given on 1 September 2016). How does ratification of mixed agreements work in practice? Does EU or international law require Member States to ratify joint agreements and, if so, on what basis? Are there differences between the different types of mixed agreements in this regard? What are the legal consequences of a Member State not ratifying a joint agreement? How can legal problems arising from either a delay in the ratification of a joint agreement or a possible failure of ratification of a Member State be mitigated? How does the provisional application of mixed agreements work in practice? Can provisional implementation continue if a Member State refuses to ratify the agreement? Are there alternatives to the provisional application of certain provisions of a joint agreement until the ratification process? 24 Janyce McGregor, CBC News, EU members uncertain about how to implement CETA, 2 months after signing, on (the last consultation took place on 1 September 2016). 23 Council`s proposal for a decision on the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada, on the one hand, and the European Union and its Member States, on the other hand, COM (2016) 443 final, 2016/0205 (NLE) of 5 July 2016, available on the internet at (last available on 1 September 2016); Proposal for a Council decision on the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union and its Member States, on the other, COM (2016) 470 final, 2016/0220 (NLE) of 5 July 2016, available on the Internet at (available 1 September 2016). The presentation examines the practice of ratification and provisional application of joint agreements concluded by the European Union and its Member States by examining: 11 See the German bill presented to the German Bundestag, Federal Government Bill, Case 17/10758 of 24 September 2012, and notes, on page 2, that certain aspects (including sanctions for infringement of intellectual property) are excluded from the provisional application because they are not within the EU`s jurisdiction: „Provisional application, with the exception of certain areas under the exclusive jurisdiction of EU Member States (criminal law in the field of intellectual protection. The bill is available on the internet at the (last time on September 1, 2016). 26 Janyce McGregor, CBC News, EU members unsure on how to apply CETA, 2 months after signing, available on the internet at the (the last consultation is 1 September 2016); European Commission, press release of 5 July 2016, the European Commission proposes the signing and conclusion of the trade agreement between the EU and Canada, available on the Internet at (the last consultation will take place on 1 September 2016).
