AGREEMENT in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining, for the period 16 June 1991 to 15 June 1993, the fishing rights and the financial compensation provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau

A. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Sir,

With reference to the Protocol, initialled on 13 June 1991, establishing the fishing rights and the financial compensation for the period 16 June 1991 to 15 June 1993, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau is ready to apply this Protocol on a provisional basis, with effect from 16 June 1991, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 8 of the Protocol, provided that the European Economic Community is prepared to do the same.

The licences of present vessels or of vessels which had a licence in 1991 shall be automatically extended should the vessels so require. To this end, a list of vessels requiring this shall be sent by 15 June 1991 at the latest. The licence fees shall be paid prior to 30 June 1991. It is understood that holding new licence documents does not necessarily mean that fishing activities will be carried out.

This is on the understanding that in this case a first instalment equal to 50 % of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol is to be paid prior to 15 November 1991.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Economic Community's agreement to such provisional application.

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

For the Government

of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

B. Letter from the Community

Sir,

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

'With reference to the Protocol, initialled on 13 June 1991, establishing the fishing rights and the financial compensation for the period 16 June 1991 to 15 June 1993, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau is ready to apply this Protocol on a provisional basis, with effect from 16 June 1991, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 8 of the Protocol, provided that the European Economic Community is prepared to do the same.

The licences of present vessels or of vessels which had a licence in 1991 shall be automatically extended should the vessels so require. To this end, a list of vessels requiring this shall be sent by 15 June 1991 at the latest. The licence fees shall be paid prior to 30 June 1991. It is understood that holding new licence documents does not necessarily mean that fishing activities will be carried out.

This is on the understanding that in this case a first instalment equal to 50 % of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol is to be paid prior to 15 November 1991.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Economic Community's agreement to such provisional application.'

I have the honour to confirm the European Community's agreement to this provisional application ot the Protocol.

On behalf of

the Council of the European Communities