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Exchanges of letters concerning Article 2 (1) (b) of the Agreement on fisheries between the European Economic Community and the Government of Finland

Letter No 1

Sir,

In connection with the signing today of the Agreement on fisheries between the European Economic Community and the Government of Finland, I have the honour to confirm that the consultations referred to in Article 2 (1) (b) shall not take place, in so far as allotments to Finland in the North Sea are concerned, until the North Sea herring stock has recovered considerably. This state of recovery will be considered to have been reached in the first year for which the total allowable catch is fixed at a level exceeding 100 000 tonnes.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Chairman of the Delegation of

the European Economic Community

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows:

'In connection with the signing today of the Agreement on fisheries between the European Economic Community and the Government of Finland, I have the honour to confirm that the consultations referred to in Article 2 (1) (b) shall not take place, in so far as allotments to Finland in the North Sea are concerned, until the North Sea herring stock has recovered considerably. This state of recovery will be considered to have been reached in the first year for which the total allowable catch is fixed at a level exceeding 100 000 tonnes.'

I have the honour to confirm that my delegation is in agreement with the foregoing.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Chairman of the Delegation of

the Government of Finland

Letter No 2

Sir,

In connection with the signing today of the Agreement on fisheries between the Government of Finland and the European Economic Community, I have the honour to state the following:

1. During the negotiations it was agreed that, in the application of Article 2 (1) (b) of the Agreement, fishing in Baltic Sea areas other than those covered by Article 1 of the Agreement should be fully taken into account for the purpose of achieving a satisfactory balance between the mutual fishing interests of the Parties.

2. Moreover, it was agreed that, in the consultations concerning the definition of annual quotas, due account shall also be taken of the Finnish production of smolts, and the extent to which it benefits the Community's fishermen in the Baltic Sea.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to the Chairman of the Delegation of the European Economic Community the assurance of my highest consideration.

Chairman of the Delegation

of Finland

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows:

'In connection with the signing today of the Agreement on fisheries between the Government of Finland and the European Economic Community, I have the honour to state the following:

1. During the negotiations it was agreed that, in the application of Article 2 (1) (b) of the Agreement, fishing in Baltic Sea areas other than those covered by Article 1 of the Agreement should be fully taken into account for the purpose of achieving a satisfactory balance between the mutual fishing interests of the Parties.

2. Moreover, it was agreed that, in the consultations concerning the definition of annual quotas, due account shall also be taken of the Finnish production of smolts, and the extent to which it benefits the Community's fishermen in the Baltic Sea.'

The Council of the European Communities has taken note of the contents of this letter.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to the Chairman of the Delegation of Finland the assurance of my highest consideration.

Chairman of the Delegation

of the European Economic Community