Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters

between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea 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 the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast for the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002

A. Letter from the Community

Gentlemen,

I have the honour to confirm that we agree to the following interim arrangements for the extension of the Protocol currently in force (1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001) setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea and the European Economic Community on fishing off the Guinean coast, pending the negotiations on the amendments to be made to the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement:

1. The arrangements applicable over the last two years will be extended for the period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002. The Community's financial contribution under the interim arrangements will correspond to the yearly amount provided for in Article 2 of the Protocol currently in force. Payment will be made no later than 30 June 2002. Payment of the financial contribution provided for in Article 6 and the terms relating thereto will also apply.

2. During the interim period, fishing licences will be granted within the limits set in Article 1 of the Protocol currently in force, by means of fees or advances corresponding to those set in point 1 of the Annex to the Protocol. The fees applicable to trawlers will be those for the second year.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm that you are in agreement with its contents.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

B. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Guinea

Gentlemen,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I have the honour to confirm that we agree to the following interim arrangements for the extension of the Protocol currently in force (1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001) setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the Government of the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea and the European Economic Community on fishing off the Guinean coast, pending the negotiations on the amendments to be made to the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement:

1. The arrangements applicable over the last two years will be extended for the period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002. The Community's financial contribution under the interim arrangements will correspond to the yearly amount provided for in Article 2 of the Protocol currently in force. Payment will be made no later than 30 June 2002. Payment of the financial contribution provided for in Article 6 and the terms relating thereto will also apply.

2. During the interim period, fishing licences will be granted within the limits set in Article 1 of the Protocol currently in force, by means of fees or advances corresponding to those set in point 1 of the Annex to the Protocol. The fees applicable to trawlers will be those for the second year.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm that you are in agreement with its contents."

I have the honour to confirm that the contents of your letter are acceptable to my Government and that your letter and this one constitute an agreement in accordance with your proposal.

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

For the Government of the Republic of Guinea