Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands

AGREEMENT in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands A. Letter from the Government of Solomon Islands Sir, I am delighted that Solomon Islands and European Union negotiators have been able to reach a consensus on a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Solomon Islands and the European Union, and on a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution and the annexes thereto. The result of these negotiations improves on the earlier Agreement and will strengthen our fisheries relations and establish a true partnership framework in which to develop a sustainable and responsible fisheries policy in Solomon Islands’ waters. To this end, I would propose launching in parallel the procedures for approval and ratification of the texts of the Agreement, the Protocol and the Annex and Appendices thereto in accordance with the procedures in force in Solomon Islands and the European Union and necessary for their entry into force. In order to avoid interrupting fishing activities by EU vessels in Solomon Islands’ waters, and referring to the Agreement and the Protocol initialled on 26 September 2009 and setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 9 October 2009 to 8 October 2012, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Solomon Islands is willing to apply this Agreement and this Protocol provisionally from 9 October 2009 pending their entry into force in accordance with Article 18 of the Agreement, provided that the European Union is prepared to do likewise. This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial contribution, laid down by Article 2 of the Protocol, must be paid before 1 December 2010. I should be grateful if you would confirm the agreement of the European Union to such a provisional application. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. For Solomon Islands EN 22.7.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 190/27 B. Letter from the European Union Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today’s date which reads as follows: ‘I am delighted that Solomon Islands and European Union negotiators have been able to reach a consensus on a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Solomon Islands and the European Union, and on a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution and the annexes thereto. The result of these negotiations improves on the earlier Agreement and will strengthen our fisheries relations and establish a true partnership framework in which to develop a sustainable and responsible fisheries policy in Solomon Islands’ waters. To this end, I would propose launching in parallel the procedures for approval and ratification of the texts of the Agreement, the Protocol and the Annex and Appendices thereto in accordance with the procedures in force in Solomon Islands and the European Union and necessary for their entry into force. In order to avoid interrupting fishing activities by EU vessels in Solomon Islands’ waters, and referring to the Agreement and the Protocol initialled on 26 September 2009 and setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 9 October 2009 to 8 October 2012, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Solomon Islands is willing to apply this Agreement and this Protocol provisionally from 9 October 2009 pending their entry into force in accordance with Article 18 of the Agreement, provided that the European Union is prepared to do likewise. This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial contribution, laid down by Article 2 of the Protocol, must be paid before 1 December 2010. I should be grateful if you would confirm the agreement of the European Union to such a provisional application.’. I am pleased to confirm the agreement of the European Union to a provisional application. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. For the European Union EN L 190/28 Official Journal of the European Union 22.7.2010