22008A0222(02)

Agreement

in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire on fishing in C么te d'Ivoire‘檚 fishing zones for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2013

A. Letter from the Government of the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire

Sir,

I am delighted that the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire and European Community negotiators have been able to reach a consensus on a fisheries partnership agreement between the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire and the European Community, and on a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution and the Annexes thereto.

The result of these negotiations improves on the earlier Agreement and will strengthen our fisheries relations and establish a true framework of partnership in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in C么te d‘橧voire waters. To this end, I would propose launching in parallel the procedures for approval and ratification of the texts of the Agreement, the Protocol and its Annex and Appendices in accordance with the procedures in force in the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire and the European Community and necessary to their entry into force.

In order to avoid interrupting fishing activities by Community vessels in C么te d‘橧voire waters, and referring to the Agreement and the Protocol initialled on 5 April 2007 and setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2013, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire is willing to apply this Agreement and this Protocol provisionally from 1 July 2007 pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 17 of the Agreement, provided that the European Community is prepared to do likewise.

This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial contribution, laid down by Article 2 of the Protocol, must be paid before 30 March 2008.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Community‘檚 agreement to such provisional application.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire

B. Letter from the European Community

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today‘檚 date which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I am delighted that the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire and European Community negotiators have been able to reach a consensus on a fisheries partnership agreement between the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire and the European Community, and on a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution and the Annexes thereto.

The result of these negotiations improves on the earlier Agreement and will strengthen our fisheries relations and establish a true framework of partnership in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in C么te d‘橧voire waters. To this end, I would propose launching in parallel the procedures for approval and ratification of the texts of the Agreement, the Protocol and its Annex and Appendices in accordance with the procedures in force in the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire and the European Community and necessary to their entry into force.

In order to avoid interrupting fishing activities by Community vessels in C么te d‘橧voire waters, and referring to the Agreement and the Protocol initialled on 5 April 2007 and setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2013, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of C么te d‘橧voire is willing to apply this Agreement and this Protocol provisionally from 1 July 2007 pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 17 of the Agreement, provided that the European Community is prepared to do likewise.

This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial contribution, laid down by Article 2 of the Protocol, must be paid before 30 March 2008.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Community‘檚 agreement to such provisional application."

I am pleased to confirm the agreement of the European Community to a provisional application.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the European Community

--------------------------------------------------