EC/Guinea-Bissau fisheries agreement: financial support

OBJECTIVE: to provisionally suspend fishing activities and payment of financial compensation provided for by the fishing protocol concluded between the European Community and Guinea-Bissau. CONTENT: it is proposed that, with effect from 19 June 1998, the current fishing agreement and protocol between the European Community and Guinea-Bissau be suspended, as a result of the armed conflict which broke out in that country in June 1998. The suspension of the agreement is presented as a temporary measure, which will be ended as soon as the authorities in Guinea restore peace and normal fishing conditions for Community shipowners. The temporary suspension of fishing activities implies the suspension of payment of financial compensation for the second year of application of the protocol. However, in order to give a positive political signal to those involved in the conflict, it is proposed that the Commission will transfer the financial compensation due into a special account. Provision is further made for the lifting of the suspension of the Agreement (following a decision by the Council on a proposal from the Commission) and the fixing of the procedure for granting ad hoc financial support to Guinea-Bissau as soon as conditions are restored which allow normal fishing activities to resume. It should be noted that a decision may be taken to lift the suspension of the Agreement on a temporary basis.�