EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 20.7.2010 
SEC(2010) 914 final 
  
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CO MMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for 
the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheri es Partnership Agreement with Guinea Bissau 
 
EN 2   EN RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CO MMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for 
the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheri es Partnership Agreement with Guinea Bissau 
A. EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 
The European Union and the Republic of Gu inea Bissau have concluded a protocol 
to the fisheries agreement1 which was initialled by the tw o parties on 23 May 2007 and 
entered into force on 18 March 2008. The pr otocol, which grants fishing opportunities 
for the EU vessels and fixes the financ ial counterpart, will expire on 15 June 2011. 
The Commission proposes to negotiate a new protocol that meets the actual 
possibilities and needs of the Member States  fleet and is in lin e with the July 2004 
Council guidelines on fisheries partnership agreements.  
The Council is asked to adopt the negotiation guidelines attached to this 
recommendation. 
B. RECOMMENDATION 
In the light of the above, th e Commission recommends that: 
– The Council authorises the Commission to open and conduct negotiations for the 
renewal of the protocol in the framewor k of the fisheries partnership agreement 
with the Republic of Guinea Bissau; 
– The Commission is nominated as the Union negotiator for this subject; 
– The Commission shall conduct such negotiatio ns in consultation with the special 
committee pursuant to the provisions laid dow n in the Treaty on the functioning of 
the European Union; 
– The Council approves the negotiation guide lines attached to this recommendation. 
                                                 
1 Council Regulation (EC) n°241/2008 of 17 March 2008 – OJ L 75 of 18 March 2008 
 
EN 3   EN ANNEX  
Negotiation guidelines  
– The objective of the negotiations is the renewa l of the protocol in the framework of the 
Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Guinea Bissau, in line with the 15 July 2004 Counc il conclusions on fisheries partnership 
agreements based on the Commission's commu nication of 23 December 2002, and giving 
consideration to the human righ ts situation in the country. 
– This protocol shall include a clause about co nsequences in cases of violation of human 
rights and democratic principles. 
– With a view to ensuring through this new pr otocol, the promotion of sustainable and 
responsible fisheries, the Commission's ne gotiation objectives wi ll be based on the 
following:  
• Ensuring access to the excl usive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Guinea 
Bissau and the necessary authorisations fo r the vessels of the European fleet to 
carry out fishing activities in the aforesaid EEZ; 
• Duly taking into account the best  available scientific advice;  
• Ensuring that access to fisheries resources is based on the same criteria that apply 
to the current protocol and on the evoluti ons observed during the past few years; 
• Strengthening dialogue on sector policy with a view to encouraging the 
implementation of a responsible fisheries policy, consistent with the development 
objectives of the country, in particular with regard to monitoring, control and 
surveillance of fishing activities, fish eries resource management, and improved 
hygiene standards of fisheries products.