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(5) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)
On 23 July 2007, the Council approved the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (the ‘Partnership Agreement’) by adopting Regulation (EC) No 894/2007.
(2)
The application of the latest Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Partnership Agreement expired on 12 May 2014.
(3)
The Union negotiated with São Tomé and Príncipe a new Protocol, for a period of four years, granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the waters over which the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe has sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fisheries. At the end of those negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 19 December 2013.
(4)
In order to guarantee the continuity of fishing activities by Union vessels, provision is made for the new Protocol to apply provisionally, pending completion of the procedures necessary for its conclusion. This provisional application will take effect from the date of its signature, but not before the date of expiry of the latest Protocol.
(5)
The new Protocol should be signed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: