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Brussels, 02.04.1997 
COM(97) 138 final 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
authorizing the Kingdom of Spain to extend until 7 March 1998 the Agreement 
on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa 
(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. On 14 August 1979, the Kingdom of Spain signed an agreement on 
mutual fisheries relations with the Republic of South AfrLca which 
entered into force on the 8 March 1982 for an initial period of ten 
years, and which it was envisaged should subseguently rest in force 
for an indeterminate period unless it were to be denounced with 
twelve months notice. Under this fisheries agreement, annual 
fisheries Licences can be granted to vessels flying the Spanish 
flag. This was the case since 1989. 
2. Article 167 (2) of the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal lays 
down that the rights and obligations for* the Kingdom of Spain 
following from fisheries agreements concluded with third countries 
shall not to be affected during the period for which the provisions 
of such agreements are provisionally maintained. Under Article 
167 (3) of the Action of Accession, the Council, acting by a 
qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, is to adopt 
the decisions appropriate for the continuation of fishing 
activities resulting from such agreements. This may include 
prolonging them for periods not exceeding one year. 
3. In order to avoid interruption in the fishing activities of the 
Community vessels concerned, the Decision put forward in this 
proposal authorises Spain to extend the fisheries agreement 
referred to above until 7 March 199^. 
^ 
COUNCIL DECISION 
of 
authorizing the Kingdom of Spain to extend until 7 March 1998 the Agreement 
on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Community, 
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Spain and 
Portugal, and in particular Article 167 (3) thereof. 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas the Agreement on mutual fishery relations 
between the Government of the Kingdom of Spain and 
the Government of the Republic of South Africa, signed 
on 14 August 1979, entered into force on 8 March 1982 
for an initial period of 10 years; whereas the Agreement 
remains in force for an indeterminate period if it is not 
denounced by the giving of 12 months' notice ; 
Whereas Article 167 (2) of the Act of Accession laying 
down that the rights and obligations flowing, for the 
Kingdom of Spain, from fisheries agreements concluded 
with third countries, shall not be affected during the 
period for which the provisions of such agreements are 
provisionally maintained ; 
Whereas, pursuant to Article 167 (3) of the said Act, the 
Council is to adopt, before the expiry of the fisheries 
agreements concluded by the Kingdom of Spain with 
third countries, decisions appropriate for the continuation 
of fishing activities resulting therefrom, including the possibility of prolonging for periods not exceeding one 
year ; whereas the above mentioned Agreement has been 
extended until 7 March 1997('); 
Whereas, in order to avoid fishing by the Community 
vessels concerned being interrupted, it" appears appro­
priate to authorize the Kingdom of Spain to renew the 
Agreement in question until 7 March 199 8. 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : 
Article I 
The Kingdom of Spain is hereby authorized to extend 
until 7 March 1998 the Agreement on mutual fishery 
relations with the Republic of South Africa which entered 
into force on 8 March 1982. 
Article 2 
This Decision is addressed to ihe Kingdom of Spain 
Done at 
Foi the Council 
The President 
3> 0 oj No L 196,of 7-8.96, p. 11 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 138 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 11 
Catalogue number : CB-C0-97-128-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-17604-4 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
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