Introductory text

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), second subparagraph, point (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:

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^f1.

The application of the latest Protocol^f2 setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Partnership Agreement expired on 12 May 2014.

The Union has 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.

That new Protocol was signed in accordance with Decision 2014/334/EU^f3 and will apply on a provisional basis from the date of its signature.

The new Protocol should be approved.

The Partnership Agreement establishes a Joint Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of this 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,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: