EC/Mauritius fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003

PURPOSE : to present a proposal for a Council Regulation 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 Government of Mauritius on fishing in Mauritian waters for the period 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003. CONTENT : the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Mauritius expired on 2 December 2002. Mauritius was unable to obtain by that date scientific opinions and reports which it was awaiting regarding certain aspects of its fisheries sector. In view of the importance of these reports, Mauritius considered that the negotiations on the amendments to be made to the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement could not be held until these reports had been obtained. The two parties accordingly decided to extend for another year, from 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003, the Protocol which was about to expire. This extension, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, was initialled by the two Parties on 21 November 2002 and sets out the technical and financial conditions governing the fishing activities of Community vessels in Mauritian waters for the period from 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003. 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.�