PURPOSE : to approve the Agreement extending the Protocol on fishing opportunities and financial contribution between the EEC and Comoros.

COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Regulation 172/2005/EC on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of The Comoros on fishing off The Comoros for the period from 28 February 2004 to 31 December 2004.

CONTENT : to recall, the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the EC and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros expired on 27 February 2004. This Regulation approves, on behalf of the Community, the Agreement extending the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of The Comoros on fishing off The Comoros for the period from 28 February 2004 to 31 December 2004.

The Member States whose vessels fish under this Protocol shall be required to notify the Commission of the quantities of each stock caught in the Comorian fishing zone in accordance with Commission Regulation 500/2001/EC of 14 March 2001 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation 2847/93/EEC on the monitoring of catches taken by Community fishing vessels in third country waters and on the high seas.

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 05/02/2005.

Regulation 2005/172
OJ L 029 02.02.2005, p. 0001-0002

SP(2005)239

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR), approving the proposal subject to two amendments. (Please refer to the summary of 24/11/2004).

T6-0104/2004
OJ C 226 15.09.2005, p. 0242-0340 E

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR), approving the proposal subject to two amendments. (Please refer to the summary of 24/11/2004).

T6-0104/2004

A6-0040/2004

A6-0040/2004

The committee adopted the report by its chairman, Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR), approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to just two amendments. These reflected Parliament's traditional position on renewing fishing agreements, namely, that a general assessment report should be presented by the Commission before the beginning of negotiations, including an analysis of the use made of the funds earmarked for the targeted measures in order to assess the economic, social and environmental impact of the agreement. Only after the report had been received and Parliament had given its opinion thereon should the Council authorise the Commission to enter into negotiations for a possible new Protocol.

However, MEPs were also concerned about the problems that had arisen in the past in ensuring that the sums intended for specific projects are correctly spent. They therefore called on the Commission to produce a discussion paper outlining the options available for improving transparency and accountability as regards the implementation of targeted measures in fisheries agreements.

PE347.262

PURPOSE : to approve the Agreement extending the Protocol on fishing opportunities and financial contribution between the EEC and Comoros.

PROPOSED ACT : Council Regulation.

CONTENT : The Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the EC and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros expired on 27 February 2004.

The Commission has undertaken to carry out detailed evaluations and impact analyses before renewing any protocols and after their expiry. In the case of the Protocol to the EC-Comoros Fisheries Agreement, such an evaluation – which can take from six to eight months – could not be completed in time.

Therefore, the two parties have decided to extend the expired Protocol for the period from 28 February to 31 December 2004. The extension, in the form of an exchange of letters, was initialled by the two parties on 3 February 2004, in order to set out the technical and financial conditions governing the fishing activities of EC vessels in Comorian waters for the above period.

Before a new Protocol is proposed, the existing one (including the extension period) will be thoroughly evaluated and an ex-ante assessment made of the proposal to conclude a new Protocol.

The Commission proposes, on this basis, that the Council adopt the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the extension of the Protocol. A proposal for a Council Decision on the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of letters concerning the extension pending its definitive entry into force is the subject of a separate procedure.

The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol will be allocated among the Member States as follows:

- tuna seiners:

Spain: 18 vessels;

France: 21 vessels;

Italy: 1 vessel;

- surface longliners:

Spain: 20 vessels;

Portugal: 5 vessels.

If licence applications from these Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities fixed by the Protocol, the Commission may take into consideration licence applications from any other Member State.

The Member States whose vessels fish under this Protocol shall be required to notify the

Commission of the quantities of each stock caught in the Comorian fishing zone in accordance with Commission Regulation 500/2001/EC.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS :

- Budget lines and headings:

110301 (ex B78000) : International Agreements on fishing.

11010404 (ex B78000A) : International Agreements on fishing: administrative expenses.

- Overall figures :

- Total allocation for action: EUR 291,875.

- Period of application: 28 February 2004 to 31 December 2004.

- Multiannual estimate of expenditure: EUR 291,875.

- Technical and administrative assistance: EUR 40 000 (2004).

- Overall financial impact of human resources and other administrative expenditure: EUR 35,660.

- Overall costs: EUR 367.535.

COM(2004)0540
EUR-Lex

PURPOSE : to approve the Agreement extending the Protocol on fishing opportunities and financial contribution between the EEC and Comoros.

PROPOSED ACT : Council Regulation.

CONTENT : The Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the EC and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros expired on 27 February 2004.

The Commission has undertaken to carry out detailed evaluations and impact analyses before renewing any protocols and after their expiry. In the case of the Protocol to the EC-Comoros Fisheries Agreement, such an evaluation – which can take from six to eight months – could not be completed in time.

Therefore, the two parties have decided to extend the expired Protocol for the period from 28 February to 31 December 2004. The extension, in the form of an exchange of letters, was initialled by the two parties on 3 February 2004, in order to set out the technical and financial conditions governing the fishing activities of EC vessels in Comorian waters for the above period.

Before a new Protocol is proposed, the existing one (including the extension period) will be thoroughly evaluated and an ex-ante assessment made of the proposal to conclude a new Protocol.

The Commission proposes, on this basis, that the Council adopt the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the extension of the Protocol. A proposal for a Council Decision on the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of letters concerning the extension pending its definitive entry into force is the subject of a separate procedure.

The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol will be allocated among the Member States as follows:

- tuna seiners:

Spain: 18 vessels;

France: 21 vessels;

Italy: 1 vessel;

- surface longliners:

Spain: 20 vessels;

Portugal: 5 vessels.

If licence applications from these Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities fixed by the Protocol, the Commission may take into consideration licence applications from any other Member State.

The Member States whose vessels fish under this Protocol shall be required to notify the

Commission of the quantities of each stock caught in the Comorian fishing zone in accordance with Commission Regulation 500/2001/EC.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS :

- Budget lines and headings:

110301 (ex B78000) : International Agreements on fishing.

11010404 (ex B78000A) : International Agreements on fishing: administrative expenses.

- Overall figures :

- Total allocation for action: EUR 291,875.

- Period of application: 28 February 2004 to 31 December 2004.

- Multiannual estimate of expenditure: EUR 291,875.

- Technical and administrative assistance: EUR 40 000 (2004).

- Overall financial impact of human resources and other administrative expenditure: EUR 35,660.

- Overall costs: EUR 367.535.

COM(2004)0540
EUR-Lex