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 30 November 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1801/2006 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (‘the Partnership Agreement’).
(2)
The protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Partnership Agreement expired on 16 December 2014.
(3)
On 10 July 2015, the Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania initialled a new Protocol to the Partnership Agreement (‘the Protocol’). The Protocol grants Union vessels fishing opportunities in the fishing zones falling under the sovereignty or within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
(4)
In order to ensure that Union vessels can resume their fishing activities as quickly as possible, and in accordance with Article 14 of the Protocol, the Protocol should be applied on a provisional basis as from its signing.
(5)
The Protocol should be signed and applied on a provisional basis, pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its conclusion,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: