COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2024/2588

of 10 September 2024

on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2024–2029)

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) The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (1) (‘the Agreement’), approved by means of Council Regulation (EC) No 241/2008 (2), entered into force on 15 April 2008. The Protocol thereto, which sets out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement, expired on 14 June 2024.

(2) On 14 February 2024, the Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with Guinea-Bissau for the conclusion of a new Protocol implementing the Agreement.

(3) The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Union, a new Protocol implementing the Agreement. As a result of those negotiations, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2024–2029) (‘the Protocol’) was initialled on 16 May 2024.

(4) The objectives of the Protocol are to enable Union vessels to fish in Guinea-Bissau’s fishing zone and to enable the Union and Guinea-Bissau to work closely together to further promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Guinea-Bissau’s fishing zone. That cooperation will also contribute to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

(5) The Protocol should be signed on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(6) The Protocol should apply as soon as possible in view of the economic importance of Union fishing activity in Guinea-Bissau’s fishing zone and the need to limit, as far as possible, the duration of any interruption of that activity.

(7) The Protocol should therefore apply on a provisional basis from the date of its signature.

(8) In accordance with the Treaties, the Commission will ensure the signing of the Protocol, subject to its conclusion.

(9) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and delivered an opinion on 27 August 2024,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2024–2029) (4) (‘the Protocol’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the Protocol.

Article 2

The Commission will ensure the signature of the Protocol, subject to its conclusion.

Article 3

The Protocol shall be applied on a provisional basis, in accordance with Article 19 thereof, as from the date of its signature, pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its entry into force.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 10 September 2024.

For the Council

The President

BÓKA J.

(1)

OJ L 342, 27.12.2007, p. 5

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 241/2008 of 17 March 2008 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (

OJ L 75, 18.3.2008, p. 49

(3) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (

OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39

(4) The text of the Protocol is published in

OJ L, 2024/2589, 3.10.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/prot/2024/2589/oj

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2588/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)