THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43 in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (1) (‘the Agreement’), approved by Council Regulation (EC) No 2027/2006 (2), entered into force on 30 March 2007. The Protocol thereto setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement expired on 19 May 2024.

(2)	On 19 December 2023, the Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with Cabo Verde for the conclusion of a new Protocol implementing the Agreement (‘the Protocol’).

(3)	The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Union, a new Protocol implementing the Agreement. As a result of those negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 15 April 2024.

(4)

The objectives of the Protocol are to allow Union vessels to fish in Cabo Verde’s fishing zone and to enable the Union and Cabo Verde to work closely together to further promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Cabo Verde’s fishing zone. This cooperation will also contribute to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

(5)	The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities for Union vessels in Cabo Verde’s waters, on the basis of the best available scientific advice and following the conservation and management measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

(6)	This Protocol should therefore be signed on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(7)	This Protocol should apply as soon as possible in view of the economic importance of Union fishing activity in Cabo Verde’s fishing zone and the need to limit, as far as possible, the duration of any interruption of that activity.

(8)	The Protocol should therefore apply on a provisional basis from the date of its signature.

(9)	In accordance with the Treaties, the Commission will ensure the signature of the Protocol, subject to its conclusion.

(10)	The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and delivered an opinion on 5 July 2024,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (‘the Protocol’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the Protocol (4).

Article 2

The Commission will ensure the signature of the Protocol, subject to its conclusion.

Article 3

The Protocol shall be applied provisionally, in accordance with Article 17 thereof, as from the date of its signature, pending its entry into force.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 15 July 2024.

For the Council

The President

NAGY I.

(1) Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (OJ L 414, 30.12.2006, p. 3).

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2027/2006 of 19 December 2006 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (OJ L 414, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

(3) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).