AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining, for the period 16 June 1993 to 15 June 1995, the fishing rights and the financial compensation provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau

A. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Sir,

With reference to the Protocol, initialled on 5 May 1993, establishing the fishing rights and the financial compensation for the period 16 June 1993 to 15 June 1995, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau is ready to apply this Protocol on a provisional basis, with effect from 16 June 1993, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 8 of the Protocol, provided that the Community is prepared to do the same.

The licences of present vessels or of vessels which had a licence in 1993 shall be automatically extended should the vessels so require. To this end, a list of vessels requiring this shall be sent by 15 June 1993 at the latest. The licence fees shall be paid prior to 30 June 1993. It is understood that holding new licence documents does not necessarily mean that fishing activities will be carried out.

This is on the understanding that in this case a first instalment equal to 50 % of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol is to be paid prior to 15 November 1993.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the Community's agreement to such provisional application.

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

For the Government

of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

B. Letter from the Community

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

'With reference to the Protocol, initialled on 5 May 1993, establishing the fishing rights and the financial compensation for the period 16 June 1993 to 15 June 1995, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau is ready to apply this Protocol on a provisional basis, with effect from 16 June 1993, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 8 of the Protocol, provided that the Community is prepared to do the same.

The licences of present vessels or of vessels which had a licence in 1993 shall be automatically extended should the vessels so require. To this end, a list of vessels requiring this shall be sent by 15 June 1993 at the latest. The licence fees shall be paid prior to 30 June 1993. It is understood that holding new licence documents does not necessarily mean that fishing activities will be carried out.

This is on the understanding that in this case a first instalment equal to 50 % of the financial compenstion specified in Article 2 of the Protocol is to be paid prior to 15 November 1993.

It should be obliged if you would confirm the Community's agreement to such provisional application.`

I have the honour to confirm the Community's agreement to this provision application of the Protocol.

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

On behalf of

the Council of the European Communities