Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters

concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in Mauritian waters for the period 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003

A. Letter from the Community

Sirs,

I have the honour to confirm that we agree to the following interim arrangements for the extension of the Protocol currently in force (3 December 1999 to 2 December 2002) setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of Mauritius, pending the negotiations on the amendments to be made to the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement:

1. The arrangements applicable over the last three years will be extended for the period from 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003.

The Community's financial contribution under the interim arrangements will correspond to the yearly amount provided for in Article 2 and, pro rata temporis, to the annual amount provided for in Article 3 to the Protocol currently in force. This financial contribution will be paid by 1 June 2003 at the latest. The conditions governing the payment of the amount provided for in Article 6 will also apply.

2. During the interim period, fishing licences will be granted within the limits set in Article 1 of the Protocol currently in force, by means of fees or advances corresponding to those set in point 1 of the Annex to the Protocol.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm that you are in agreement with its contents.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

B. Letter from the Government of Mauritius

Sirs,

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

"I have the honour to confirm that we agree to the following interim arrangements for the extension of the Protocol currently in force (3 December 1999 to 2 December 2002) setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of Mauritius, pending the negotiations on the amendments to be made to the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement:

1. The arrangements applicable over the last three years will be extended for the period from 3 December 2002 to 2 December 2003.

The Community's financial contribution under the interim arrangements will correspond to the yearly amount provided for in Article 2 and, pro rata temporis, to the annual amount provided for in Article 3 to the Protocol currently in force. This financial contribution will be paid by 1 June 2003 at the latest. The conditions governing the payment of the amount provided for in Article 6 will also apply.

2. During the interim period, fishing licences will be granted within the limits set in Article 1 of the Protocol currently in force, by means of fees or advances corresponding to those set in point 1 of the Annex to the Protocol.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter and confirm that you are in agreement with its contents."

I have the honour to confirm that the above is acceptable to the Government of Mauritius and that your letter and this letter constitute an agreement in accordance with your proposal.

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

For the Government of Mauritius