COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91)135 final 
Brussels, 24 Apr!I 1991 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION! 
authorizing the Portuguese Republic to extend until 7 March 1992 the 
agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa 
(presented by the Commission) 
-I 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. On 9 April 1979, the Portuguese Republic signed an agreement on 
mutual fisheries relations with the Republic of South Africa which 
entered Into force on the same day for an Initial period of ten 
years, and which it was envisaged should subsequently 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 Portuguese 
flag. This was the case in 1989 and 1990. 
2. Article 354 (2) of the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal lays 
down that the rights and obligations for the Portuguese Republic 
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 
354 (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 Portugal to extend the fisheries agreement 
referred to above until 7 March 1992. 
AFR. 5U0/t>H0C£:tXJRC/«xp I .mano/ca 
- -3 -
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
authorizing the Portuguese Republic to extend until 7 March 1992 the 
agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, 
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal, and in 
particular Article 354 (3) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas the agreement on mutual* fishery relations between the 
Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the 
Republic of South Africa, signed on 9 April 1979, entered Into force on 
the same day for a Initial period of 10 years, and whereas this 
agreement stays in force for an indeterminate period If it Is not 
denounced with 12 months notice ; 
Whereas Article 354 (2) of the Act of Accession lays down that the 
rights and obligations flowing, for the Portuguese Republic, 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, under Article 354 (3) of the said Act, the Council is to 
adopt, before the expiry of fisheries agreements concluded by the 
Portuguese Republic with third countries, the decisions appropriate for 
the continuation of fishing activities resulting therefrom, Including 
the possibility of prolonging for periods not exceeding one year ; 
Whereas, In order to avoid fishing by the Community vessels concerned 
being interrupted, It appears appropriate to authorize the Republic of 
Portugal to renew the agreement In question until 7 March 1992 ; 
./ 
AFR.SU0/PR0CE0URE/r««/eo 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : 
Article 1 
The Portuguese Republic Is hereby authorized to extend until 7 March 
1992 the agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of 
South Africa which entered Into force on 9 April 1979. 
Article 2 
This Decision is addressed to the Portuguese Republic. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the CounclI 
The President 
! ISSN 0254-1475 
> 
COM(91) 135 final 
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