A4-0145/97

Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 1 June 1996 to 31 May 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Principe on fishing off São Tomé and Principe (COM(96)0394 - C4-0485/96 - 96/0199(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 4a (new)

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Whereas the European Parliament adopted a resolution on fishing agreements with developing countries on 19 February 1987(1);

(1) OJ C 76, 23.3.1987, p. 123.

(Amendment 2)

Recital 4b (new)

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Whereas the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly adopted resolutions on fisheries in the context of ACP-EEC cooperation on 21 September 1984(1) and on 7 October 1993(2);

(1) OJ C 282, 22.10.1984.

(2) OJ C 14, 17.1.1994, p. 22.

(Amendment 3)

Recital 4c (new)

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Whereas it is important to improve the information provided to the budgetary authority and whereas the Commission should submit an annual report on the progress made in applying this agreement in order to facilitate the taking of decisions during the annual budgetary procedure;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 4d (new)

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Whereas EC bilateral fisheries agreements with ACP countries, although fundamentally trade agreements, can be important components in the economic and social development of these countries;

(Amendment 5)

Article 3a (new)

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Article 3a

During the final year of application of the Protocol and before the conclusion of any agreement to renew it, the Commission shall submit a report to the Council and Parliament on the application and conditions of implementation of the agreement.

(Amendment 6)

Article 3b (new)

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Article 3b

On the basis of this report and after consulting the European Parliament, the Council shall grant a mandate to the Commission for negotiating the protocols for the implementation of this agreement.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 1 June 1996 to 31 May 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Principe on fishing off São Tomé and Principe (COM(96)0394 - C4-0485/96 - 96/0199(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0394 - 96/0199(CNS) ((OJ C 298, 9.10.1996, p. 15.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 in conjunction with Article 228(2) and (3) first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty (C4- 0485/96),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0145/97),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and the Commission.