On February 15, 2025, “Representation of the EU and the Right to Sign International Agreements on Behalf of the EU: Case C-551/21, Commission v Council,” authored by Professor Yumiko Nakanishi (Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University), was published in Journal of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law (Vol. 53, No. 2). This paper discusses a court ruling regarding the right to sign the renewal of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Republic of Gabon (2021-26). The significance of the preliminary ruling procedure in the EU Court of Justice’s interpretation and clarification of the relevant provisions regarding who has the right to sign international agreements. Professor Nakanishi evaluates that this ruling has strengthened the European Commission’s role as the EU’s external representative.