THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and Article 218(7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1)
On 5 October 2006, the Council approved the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (the ‘Agreement’) by means of Regulation (EC) No 1562/2006.
(2)
The fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement were set out in a Protocol. The most recent Protocol expires on 17 January 2014.
(3)
The Union has negotiated with the Republic of Seychelles a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement (the ‘new Protocol’).
(4)
In accordance with Council Decision 2014/5/EU, the new Protocol has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis as from 18 January 2014.
(5)
The Agreement set up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the Commission, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure.
(6)
It is in the interest of the Union to implement the Agreement by means of a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution and defining the conditions for promoting responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries in the Seychelles' waters.
(7)
The new Protocol should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: