PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol between the European Union and Guinea-Bissau setting out fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the two parties currently in force.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: on 17 March 2008, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 241/2008 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. The Union has negotiated with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau a new protocol granting EU vessels fishing opportunities in waters in which Guinea-Bissau exercises its sovereignty or jurisdiction as regards fishing.
At the end of those negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 15 June 2011 and has been applied on a provisional basis since 16 June 2011.
It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol on behalf of the European Union.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.
LEGAL BASE: Article 43(2) in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
CONTENT: by this Decision, the Protocol agreed between the European Union and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau setting out fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement concluded between the European Union and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in force between the two parties is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.
For further details as regards the content of the Protocol, please refer to the initial legislative proposal dated 04/10/2011.
BUDGET IMPLICATION: the overall financial contribution of the Protocol of EUR 7.5 million for 2011 (administrative expenditure excluded). A financial envelope of EUR 159 800 is provided for administrative expenditure for 2011 and 2012.