CELEX: 52005PC0053
Language: en
Date: 2005-02-18
Title: Proposal for a Council recommendation on priority actions to increase cooperation in the field of archives in Europe

Important legal notice

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52005PC0053

Proposal for a Council Recommendation on priority actions to increase cooperation in the field of archives in Europe  /* COM/2005/0053 final */  

	Brussels, 18.02.2005COM(2005) 53 finalProposal for aCOUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONon priority actions to increase cooperation in the field of archives in Europe(presented by the Commission)EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUMOn 6 May 2003 the Council of Ministers of the European Union issued a resolution on archives in the Member States.[1] This resolution invited the Commission to convene a group of experts, which was also to be representative of the new Member States, with the aim of examining a number of issues concerning the situation of archives in the European Union and to present a report to the Council that would include orientations for increased future co-operation on archives at the European level.The Resolution of 6 May 2003 builds on an earlier Council resolution on archives of 14 November 1991[2]. This resolution of 14 November 1991 led to a report from a group of experts, Archives in the European Union[3] , which was presented to the Council in 1993. Further to this report the Council, in its Conclusions of 17 June 1994[4], stressed the importance of archives as part of Europe’s cultural heritage and agreed on the importance of greater co-operation in the field of archives. These Council conclusions were an important catalyst in promoting co-operation between archives services in Europe during the past ten years.Since 1993 information and communication technologies have made continuous and rapid progress with direct effects on document and archives management. Moreover during this period the European Union expanded from 12 to 25 Member States. Many of the Member States and indeed the Institutions of the European Union itself have enacted numerous legislative changes with a view to granting citizens greater access to information and documents. The importance of the flow of information across borders has also greatly increased. These developments have had significant consequences for document and archives management and have led to a greater awareness for the need to increase co-operation in this field between the Member States and the EU Institutions.The Commission therefore welcomed the Council resolution of 6 May 2003 as an opportunity to address the issues facing document and archives management in the enlarged European Union. In response to the Council resolution a group comprising of experts from each of the 25 Member States assisted the Commission in preparing the Report on Archives in the enlarged European Union . This Report is presented to the Council together with the attached draft Commission proposal for a Council recommendation concerning priority actions for increased co-operation on archives in Europe.The Report describes the current situation of public archives in the Member States and the Institutions of the European Union as well as the probable evolution of document and archives management and the role of archive services in the 21st century.In accordance with the Council resolution of 6 May 2003, the Report includes a number of orientations for increased future cooperation on archives as well as suggestions for concrete actions in the field of archives at the European level.[5]The proposed priority actions mentioned in the Report include measures to prevent, limit or restore damage to documents or loss of archives through natural and other catastrophes drawing on the lessons from natural catastrophes such as the flooding that recently occurred in different European countries. It is also proposed to improve the preservation of documents and archives including measures to promote standards and specifications for archival buildings and repositories. Co-operation on archives should be strengthened especially in the area of authenticity, long term preservation and accessibility of electronic documents and archives. There are also suggestions that measures should be taken to prevent the theft of archives and putting in place arrangements for the recovery of stolen documents. It furthermore proposes the creation of an EU gateway to the archival heritage of the enlarged Union in order to provide easier and trans-border access to archives for citizens of the European Union.These priority actions are to be implemented through enhanced co-ordination, information sharing and exchange of good practice at the European level. To this end the Report proposes the creation of an Archivists Group of the EU Member States and EU Institutions. This Group would ensure the exchange of information and seek further co-operation in the field of archives on the basis of consensus and in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity. It would focus on the concrete actions indicated in the report and in particular on the priority actions mentioned above. The Archivists Group envisages to produce, after a period of three years, a first progress report on these priority actions on archives in Europe.Proposal for aCOUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONon priority actions to increase cooperation in the field of archives in EuropeTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second indent of Article 151(5) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas:(1) As a result of the Resolution of the Council and the Ministers of Culture meeting within the Council of 14 November 1991 on arrangements concerning archives[6], and Council Conclusions of 17 June 1994 concerning greater cooperation in the field of archives[7], initial progress has been made towards greater cooperation between the Member States in the field of archives.(2) The Council Resolution of 6 May 2003 on archives in the Member States[8] stressed the importance of archives for the understanding of the history and culture of Europe and for the democratic functioning of society within the framework of the enlargement of the Union on 1 May 2004.(3) Multidisciplinary forums have been held within a Community framework on the problems involved in the management, storage, preservation and retrieval of machine-readable data, with the participation of public administrations and national archives services, as well as representatives of industry and research.(4) The Council Resolution of 6 May 2003 stressed the need for further development of information and communications technologies applications and solutions in the field of archives.(5) The Commission underlines the work done by the institutions of the Union in the specific field of film archives in Europe, including the Council Resolution of 24 November 2003 [9] on the deposit of cinematographic works in the European Union and the Commission Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on film heritage and the competitiveness of related industrial activities of 16 March 2004.(6) In the Resolution of 6 May 2003 the Council also invited the Commission to submit a report on the current situation and future development of archives in the enlarged Union. The “Report on archives in the enlarged European Union”, which was drawn up by a group of experts from the Member States and was completed in June 2004, is a sound basis for the further development of archives in Europe. It includes, at the Council’s request, proposals for practical actions and guidelines with a view to increasing cooperation at European level in the field of archives,HEREBY RECOMMENDS:A. The following measures in the field of archives should be carried out by the Member States and the institutions of the Union over the next few years, in the order of priority indicated:(1) Preservation of and prevention of damage to archives in Europe:-  development of a model action plan to promote damage-prevention measures for documents and archives in the context of natural catastrophes and other harmful incidents.-  promotion of Community-wide actions for the preservation and restoration of damaged documents and archives.-  establishment and promotion, by the national archives services of the Member States and the archives services of the institutions of the Union, of standards and specifications for the construction of new archives purpose built buildings.(2) Reinforcement of European interdisciplinary cooperation on electronic documents and archives:-  increase in cooperation on safeguarding the authenticity, long-term preservation and availability of electronic documents and archives, in particular by updating and extending the current requirements for setting up electronic document and archive management systems such as MoReq (Model requirements for electronic documents and archives management systems), which promote better public administration and by continuing to organise DLM[10] Forums on electronic documents and archives.(3) Establishment and maintenance of an Internet Gateway for documents and archives in Europe:-  provision, through the national archives services of the Member States and the archives services of the institutions of the Union, of an Internet Gateway which would give easier and cross-border access to documents and archives of the Member States and institutions of the Union. That Internet Gateway could be hosted by the national archives service of a Member State.(4) Promotion of best practice with regard to national and European law on the management of, and access to, documents and archives:-  the national archives services of the Member States and the archives services of the institutions of the Union should monitor new draft legislation in that field to be enacted in any of the Member States, with the aim of seeking best practices especially with regard to requirements for the management of and access to documents and archives.-  link data on archival legislation and other related laws at national and Community level and facilitate consultation thereof by setting up a database in order to encourage dissemination of that legislation. That database could be hosted by the national archives service of a Member State.(5) Adoption of measures to prevent the theft of archival documents:-  development of an action plan and common guidelines by the national archives services of the Member States that will allow for the exchange of information and best practices in order to combat the theft of archival documents and to promote the recovery of stolen documents.B. The Member States and the institutions of the Union should jointly promote the implementation of the priority measures identified in the “Report on archives in the enlarged European Union” of June 2004 and referred to in point A of this recommendation. It is not expected that the implementation of those measures will have budgetary implications for the Union.C. A European Archives Group comprising experts from the Member States and the institutions of the Union should be set up in order to ensure cooperation and coordination on general matters relating to archives and follow-up of the work referred to in the “Report on archives in the enlarged European Union” of June 2004, and in particular the priority measures referred to in point A of this recommendation.D. At the latest three years after the date of publication of this recommendation the European Archives Group should present a progress report on implementation of the priority measures referred to in point A.Done at Brussels,For the CouncilThe President [1] OJ C113 of 13.5.2003[2] OJ C314 of 5.12.1991[3] OPOCE, 1994, ISBN 92-826-8233-1[4] OJ C235 of 23.8.1994[5] For more details, see the attached Executive Summary of the Report[6] OJ C 314, 5.12.1991, p. 2.[7] OJ C 235, 23.8.1994, p. 3.[8] OJ C 113, 13.5.2003, p. 2.[9] OJ C 295, 5.12.2003, p.5.[10] DLM= Document Lifecycle Management

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Important legal notice

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52005PC0053

Proposal for a Council recommendation on priority actions to increase cooperation in the field of archives in Europe  /* COM/2005/0053 final */  

	[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |Brussels, 31.1.2006COM(2005) 591 final/22005/0229 (CNS)CORRIGENDUM : Annule et remplace la fiche financière du document COM(2005)591 final du 23.11.2005. (Traduction de la fiche). Concerne toutes les versions linguistiques excepté FR.Proposal for aCOUNCIL REGULATIONon the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the amendments to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006(presented by the Commission)EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUMThe purpose of this proposal is to amend the existing Protocol to the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.On the basis of the conclusions of the technical working group comprising representatives of the Mauritanian administration and the European Commission, which held technical meetings from 30 June to 2 July and on 14 and 15 July in Nouakchott and from 7 to 10 September 2004 in Brussels, and in the light of the scientific opinions available, the two parties reached the conclusion at the Joint Committee meeting held on 10 September 2004 in Brussels that a number of measures should be taken concerning the management of the fishing effort in Mauritania's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).The Agreement on the amendments to the existing Protocol has been formalised by an Exchange of Letters.The measures in question are aimed, on the one hand, at reducing the catch rate for cephalopods by decreasing the fishing effort and, on the other, by increasing the number of licences in the pelagic and tuna categories. In order to help integrate fleets flying the flags of the new Member States and guarantee continued access for Community fishing vessels traditionally operating under the above-mentioned Agreement, licences for the pelagic category will be awarded on the basis of the licence applications received from all Member States, taking into account the fishing activities traditionally carried on under this Agreement. If need be, the Commission will make a proposal on the allocation of licences for the pelagic category among the Member States.The suspension of five cephalopod licences, which was the subject of a consultation with the Member States as far back as March 2004, has now been compensated for under this reorganisation through the issue of these new pelagic licences, thus guaranteeing sound and healthy financial management by allowing fishing opportunities to be adjusted in accordance with resources and sectoral demands. The new balance achieved through this reorganisation was established on the basis of the results of the 2001 negotiations on the existing Protocol and constitutes a very satisfactory outcome for the EC in cost-benefit terms.The Commission proposes, on this basis, that the Council adopt this Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the amendments to the Protocol.A proposal for a Council Decision on the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the amendments to the Protocol is the subject of a separate procedure.2005/0229 (CNS)Proposal for aCOUNCIL REGULATIONon the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the amendments to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37, in conjunction with Article 300(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[1],Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament[2],Whereas:1.  The Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania came into effect on 1 August 2001 and is valid until 31 July 2006[3].2.  In view of the scientific opinions on the state of resources in the Mauritanian EEZ and, in particular, the results of the fourth and fifth working groups of the Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic Research and Fisheries (IMROP) and of the joint scientific working group, and in the light of the conclusions drawn from those results at the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 10 September and 15 and 16 December 2004, the two parties have decided to amend the existing fishing opportunities.3.  The outcome of those amendments has been the subject of an Exchange of Letters and involves a temporary reduction in the fishing effort for cephalopods (category 5), the fixing of a second closed period of one month for demersal fishing, and an increase in the number of pole-and-line tuna vessels and surface longliners (category 8) and pelagic freezer trawlers (category 9).4.  It is in the Community's interest to approve those amendments.5.  The allocation of the new fishing opportunities among the Member States, as thus amended, should be confirmed,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:Article 1The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006 is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Regulation.Article 2Following the amendments set out in the Exchange of Letters, the new fishing opportunities for the "pole-and-line tuna vessel and surface longliner" category (Datasheet No 8 of the Protocol) and for the "pelagic freezer trawler" category (Datasheet No 9) shall be allocated among the Member States as follows:Fishing category | Member State | Tonnage/Number of vessels which may be used |Pole-and-line tuna vessels Surface longliners (vessels) | Spain Portugal France | 20 + 3= 23 3 + 0= 3 8 + 1= 9 |Pelagic species (vessels) | 15+10= 25 |The temporary suspension of five (5) fishing licences for the cephalopod fishing category shall take effect as from 1 January 2005. The future reactivation of those five (5) licences shall be decided by common accord in a Joint Committee meeting held between the Commission and the Mauritanian authorities on the basis of the state of resources.If licence applications from Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities laid down by the Protocol, the Commission may take into consideration licence applications from any other Member State.Article 3This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels,For the CouncilThe PresidentAGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERSconcerning the amendments to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006A. Letter from the Government of the Islamic Republic of MauritaniaSir,With reference to the Protocol, initialled on 31 July 2001, setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006 and the outcome of the Joint Committee meetings held on 10 September 2004 and 15 and 16 December 2004, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is prepared to apply, in accordance with scientific opinion, a temporary reduction in the fishing effort for the cephalopod fishing category, as specified in Datasheet No 5 of this Protocol, by temporarily decreasing by five licences the fishing opportunities offered by the Protocol. The future reactivation of those five licences shall be decided by common accord on the basis of the state of resources. The Government of the Islamlic Republic of Mauritania shall also decide on a second closed period of one month for demersal fishing on a non-discriminatory basis. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania also undertakes to apply the amendments to the Protocol concerning the fishing opportunities laid down in Fishing Datasheet No 8 for the pole-and-line tuna vessel and surface longliner fishing category by raising the number of vessels in this category from 31 to 35, and those laid down in Fishing Datasheet No 9 for the pelagic freezer trawler fishing category by raising the number of vessels in this category from 15 to 25, on a provisional basis with effect from 1 January 2005, pending its entry into force, provided that the European Community is prepared to do the same.I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Community's agreement to such provisional application.Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.For the Government of the Islamic Republic of MauritaniaB. Letter from the European CommunitySir,I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, worded as follows:"Sir,With reference to the Protocol, initialled on 31 July 2001, setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006 and the outcome of the Joint Committee meetings held on 10 September 2004 and 15 and 16 December 2004, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is prepared to apply, in accordance with scientific opinion, a temporary reduction in the fishing effort for the cephalopod fishing category, as specified in Datasheet No 5 of this Protocol, by temporarily decreasing by five licences the fishing opportunities offered by the Protocol. The future reactivation of those five licences shall be decided by common accord on the basis of the state of resources. The Government of the Islamlic Republic of Mauritania shall also decide on a second closed period of one month for demersal fishing on a non-discriminatory basis. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania also undertakes to apply the amendments to the Protocol concerning the fishing opportunities laid down in Fishing Datasheet No 8 for the pole-and-line tuna vessel and surface longliner fishing category by raising the number of vessels in this category from 31 to 35, and those laid down in Fishing Datasheet No 9 for the pelagic freezer trawler fishing category by raising the number of vessels in this category from 15 to 25, on a provisional basis with effect from 1 January 2005, pending its entry into force, provided that the European Community is prepared to do the same.I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Community's agreement to such provisional application."I have the honour to confirm the European Community's agreement to such provisional application.Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.On behalf of the European CommunitySIMPLIFIED FINANCIAL STATEMENTPolicy area(s): 11 Fisheries Activity(ies): 1103 International fisheries agreements |TITLE OF ACTION: AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS CONCERNING THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PROTOCOL SETTING OUT THE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION PROVIDED FOR IN THE AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN THE SEA FISHERIES SECTOR BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA FOR THE PERIOD 1 AUGUST 2001 TO 31 JULY 2006. |1. BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S)110301 : "International fisheries agreements"2. OVERALL FIGURES2.1 Total allocation for action (Part B): EUR 86 000 000 in commitment appropriations for the EC/Mauritania Agreement in force. This amendment to the Protocol has no additional budgetary impact.2.2 Period of application: 1 August 2001 to 31 July 20062.3 Overall multiannual estimate of expenditure:(a) Schedule of commitment appropriations/payment appropriations (financial intervention) (see point 6.1.1 )EUR million (to 3 decimal places)Year 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | Total |Commitment appropriations | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 430 |Payment appropriations | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 430 |(b) Technical and administrative assistance, and support expenditure (see point 6.1.2)Commitment appropriations | - | - | - | - | - | - |Payment appropriations | - | - | - | - | - | - |Subtotal a+b |Commitment appropriations | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 430 |Payment appropriations | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 430 |2.4 Compatibility with financial programming and the financial perspective( Proposal compatible with existing financial programming( Proposal will entail reprogramming of the relevant heading in the financial perspective.( The proposal may require application of the provisions of the Interinstitutional Agreement.( Type of cost: this involves defining the economic classification of expenditure, by distinguishing between current and capital expenditure. This classification permits a clearer link between the budget accounts and the general accounts( Operating expenditure: linked to charges for the year.( Capital expenditure: linked to the balance sheet headings. What type of activity is this expenditure intended to finance?3. BUDGET CHARACTERISTICSType of expenditure | New | EFTA contribution | Contribution by applicant countries | Heading in financial perspective |Compulsory expenditure | Differen-tiated approp-riations | NO | NO | NO | No 04 |4. LEGAL BASIS- Article 37 of the Treaty, in conjunction with Article 300(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3);- EC/Mauritania Fisheries Agreement (Council Regulation (EC) No 2528/2001 of 17 December 2001)5. DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS5.1 Need for Community intervention [4]5.1.1 Objectives pursuedOn the basis of the conclusions of the working group, which held technical meetings on 30 June-2 July and 14-15 July in Nouakchott and on 7-10 September 2004 in Brussels, and in the light of the scientific opinions available, the two parties reached the conclusion at the Joint Committee meeting held on 10 September 2004 in Brussels that new fishing opportunities should be established. Those amendments concern in particular:-  A temporary reduction in the fishing effort for the cephalopod fishing category (Datasheet No 5 of the Protocol), by temporarily decreasing by five licences the fishing opportunities offered by the Protocol. The future reactivation of those five licences will be decided by common accord on the basis of the state of resources.-  The Mauritanian authorities will also decide on a second closed period of one month for demersal fishing.-  For the pole-and-line tuna vessel and surface longliner category (Datasheet No 8 of the Protocol), the number of vessels will be raised from 31 to 35.-  For the pelagic freezer trawler fishing category (Datasheet No 9 of the Protocol), the number of vessels will be raised from 15 to 25.The two parties therefore engaged in an Exchange of Letters in order to amend the existing Protocol accordingly.The new fishing opportunities have been shared out among the Member States in proportion to the allocation defined in the original Protocol.5.1.2 Measures taken in connection with ex ante evaluationSince amending the Protocol has no impact on either financing or the objectives pursued, an ex ante evaluation of the changes is unnecessary.An ex ante evaluation and an impact analysis will be carried out in the context of the renegotiation of the Protocol in 2005 and 2006.5.1.3 Measures taken following ex post evaluationAn ex post evaluation covering the entire period of the Protocol will be undertaken before the start of the negotiations mentioned in point 5.1.2.5.2 Actions envisaged and budget intervention arrangementsObjective of the proposal:-  A temporary reduction in the fishing effort for the cephalopod fishing category (Datasheet No 5 of the Protocol), by temporarily decreasing by five licences the fishing opportunities offered by the Protocol. The future reactivation of those five licences will be decided by common accord on the basis of the state of resources and the scientific opinions which are issued in the context of the joint scientific working group set up by the Protocol. Mauritania and the Community will decide by common accord on the practical arrangements for implementing this temporary reduction.-  The Mauritanian authorities will also decide on a second closed period of one month for demersal fishing.-  For the pole-and-line tuna vessel and surface longliner category (Datasheet No 8 of the Protocol), the number of vessels will be raised from 31 to 35.-  For the pelagic freezer trawler fishing category (Datasheet No 9 of the Protocol), the number of vessels will be raised from 15 to 25.These amendments to the Protocol will make it possible:-  in the case of the cephalopod category, to bring the fishing effort more closely into line with the stock situation,-  to allow an increase in the number of licences on account of the increase in demand and the zone changes operated by pole-and-line vessels in the region,-  to ensure uniform treatment and supervision for the entire European pelagic fleet operating in the Mauritanian EEZ (Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia), in keeping with the eligibility criteria laid down by the Protocol.5.3 Methods of implementationImplementation of the Protocol concerned is the sole responsibility of the Commission and will be undertaken by its officials both in Brussels and in its Delegation in Mauritania.The Industrial Fisheries Directorate within the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy will be responsible for issuing fishing licences.During 2004, at the request of the Commission, three EC/IRM Joint Committee meetings were held (14-15 February, 6-11 September and 15-16 December). In the same context, an EC/IRM technical working group also met twice (30 June-2 July and 14-15 July) in Nouakchott.During the Joint Committee meeting in February, it was decided that a joint technical working group should be set up to examine the following:-  the state of all the stocks covered by the Fisheries Agreement,-  the rules governing fishing of juveniles and marketing of juvenile octopus,-  zones and interaction between the different fisheries,-  biological rest periods,-  technical standards for fishing gear.The Joint Committee meeting of 15 and 16 December 2004 led to the signature of a statement which made it possible to reach an agreement on all those points and to formalise it by menas of the exchange of letters amending the Protocol. [1] OJ C […],[…], p. […].[2] OJ C […],[…], p. […].[3] OJ L 341, 22.12.2001.[4] For further information, see separate explanatory note.