22.7.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 190/1

---

COUNCIL DECISION

of 3 June 2010

on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and on provisional application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands

(2010/397/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2) in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)	The Union has negotiated with Solomon Islands a Fisheries Partnership Agreement providing Union vessels with fishing opportunities in the waters over which Solomon Islands has sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fisheries.

(2)	As a result of those negotiations, a new Fisheries Partnership Agreement was initialled on 26 September 2009.

(3)	The Partnership Agreement between the European Community and Solomon Islands on fishing off Solomon Islands (1) is to be repealed and replaced by the new Fisheries Partnership Agreement.

(4)	The new Fisheries Partnership Agreement should be signed on behalf of the Union.

(5)

In order to guarantee the continuation of fishing activities by Union vessels, it is essential that the new Fisheries Partnership Agreement be applied as quickly as possible. Both parties have therefore initialled an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters providing for the provisional application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement as from 9 October 2009 pending its entry into force.

(6)	It is in the Union’s interest to approve the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands is hereby approved on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion.

Article 3

The 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 is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the said Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision.

Article 4

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement in order to bind the Union.

Article 5

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

---

(1)  OJ L 105, 13.4.2006, p. 34.

---

22.7.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 190/3

---

FISHERIES PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SOLOMON ISLANDS

THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referred to as ‘the EU’,

and

THE GOVERNMENT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS, hereinafter referred to as ‘Solomon Islands’,

Hereinafter referred to as ‘the Parties’,

CONSIDERING the close cooperation and working relationship between the EU and Solomon Islands, particularly in the context of the Cotonou Agreement, and their mutual desire to further maintain and develop these relations,

CONSIDERING the desire of the two Parties to promote the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources by means of intensified cooperation,

HAVING REGARD to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to the United Nations Highly Migratory Fish Stock Agreement,

DETERMINED to apply the decisions and recommendations of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, hereinafter referred to as ‘WCPFC’,

AWARE of the importance of the principles established by the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries adopted at the FAO Conference in 1995,

RECOGNISING the sovereign rights of Solomon Islands, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1995 United Nations Highly Migratory Fish Stocks Agreement and other principles and practices of international law, sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing the living resources within Solomon Islands EEZ,

DETERMINED to cooperate, in their mutual interest, in promoting the enhancement of responsible fisheries to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable exploitation of living marine resources,

CONVINCED that such cooperation must take the form of initiatives and measures which, whether taken jointly or separately, are complementary and ensure consistent policies and synergy of effort,

INTENDING to these ends to commence a dialogue on the sectoral fisheries policy in Solomon Islands and to identify the appropriate means of ensuring that this policy is effectively implemented and that economic stakeholders and civil society are involved in the process,

DESIROUS of establishing terms and conditions governing the fishing activities of EU vessels in Solomon Islands waters and EU support for the enhancement of responsible fishing in those waters,

RESOLVED to pursue closer economic cooperation in the fishing industry and related activities through the setting up and development of joint enterprises involving companies from both Parties,

HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Scope

This Agreement establishes the principles, rules and procedures governing:

—	economic, financial, technical and scientific cooperation in the fisheries sector with a view to promoting responsible fishing in Solomon Islands fishing zone to guarantee the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fishery resources and developing Solomon Islands fisheries sector;

—	the conditions governing access by EU fishing vessels to Solomon Islands fishing zone;

—

cooperation on the arrangements for policing fisheries in Solomon Islands fishing zone with a view to ensuring that the above rules and conditions are complied with, that the measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources are effective and that illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing is prevented;

—	partnerships between companies aimed at developing economic activities in the fisheries sector and related activities, in the common interest.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Agreement:

(a)	‘Solomon Islands authorities’ means the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Solomon Islands;

(b)	‘EU authorities’ means the European Commission;

(c)	‘Solomon Islands fishing zone’ means the waters over which Solomon Islands, as regards fisheries, has sovereignty or jurisdiction. The fishing activities by EU vessels provided for in this Agreement shall be carried out only in the zones in which fishing is authorised under Solomon Islands law;

(d)	‘EU vessel’ means a fishing vessel flying the flag of a Member State of the EU and registered in the EU;

(e)	‘Joint enterprise’ means a commercial company set up in Solomon Islands by ship owners or national enterprises from the Parties in order to engage in fishing or related activities;

(f)	‘Joint Committee’ means a committee made up of representatives of the EU and Solomon Islands as specified in Article 9 of this Agreement;

(g)

‘Fishing’ means: (i) searching for, catching, taking or harvesting fish; (ii) attempting to search for, catch, take or harvest fish; (iii) engaging in any other activity which can reasonable be expected to result in locating, catching, taking or harvesting fish for any purpose; (iv) placing, searching for or recovering fish aggregating devices or associated electronic equipment such as radio beacons; (v) any operation at sea directly in support of or in preparation for any activity described in subparagraphs (i) to (iv); (vi) use of any other vehicle, air or sea borned, for any activity described in subparagraphs (i.) to (v) except for emergencies involving health and safety of the crew or the safety of a vessel.

(h)	‘fishing vessel’ means any vessel used or intended for use for the purpose of fishing, including support ships, carrier vessels, and any other vessels directly involved in such fishing operations;

(i)	‘fishing trip’ means the period from the date of entry into Solomon Islands EEZ to the date of discharge of all of a vessel’s catch or any part thereof either ashore or onto another vessel;

(j)	‘transhipment’ means the transfer in or off the prescribed port of some or all of the catch from one fishing vessel to another vessel;

(k)	‘unusual circumstances’ means circumstances, other than natural phenomena, which are beyond the reasonable control of one of the Parties and are such as to prevent fishing activities in Solomon Islands waters;

(l)	‘ACP seamen’ means any seamen who are nationals of a non-European signatory to the Cotonou Agreement. To this end, a Solomon Islands seaman is an ACP seaman;

(m)	‘EU Delegation’ means the EU Delegation in Solomon Islands;

(n)	‘shipowner’ means any person legally responsible for a fishing vessel;

(o)

‘fishing authorisation’ means the right to engage in fishing activities for a specific period, in a specific zone or specific fishery in accordance with this Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, the reference to the fishing authorisation is a reference to a fishing licence issued pursuant the Fisheries Act 1998 of Solomon Islands or Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of EU fishing vessels outside EU waters and the access of third country vessels to EU waters.

Article 3

Principles and objectives underlying the implementation of this Agreement

1.   The Parties hereby undertake to promote responsible fishing in Solomon Islands fishing zone on the principle of non-discrimination between the different fleets fishing in the Solomon Islands fishing zone, without prejudice to the agreements concluded between developing countries within a geographical region, including reciprocal fisheries agreements.

2.   The Parties shall cooperate with a view to implementing a sectoral fisheries policy adopted by Solomon Islands and to that end shall initiate a policy dialogue on the necessary reforms. They shall consult with a view to adopting potential measures in this area.

3.   The Parties shall also cooperate in carrying out ex-ante, ongoing and ex-post evaluations, both jointly and unilaterally, of measures, programmes and actions implemented on the basis of this Agreement.

4.   The Parties hereby undertake to ensure that this Agreement is implemented in accordance with the principles of good economic and social governance, taking care to respecting the state of fishery resources and/or fish stocks.

5.   In particular, the employment of Solomon Islands and/or ACP seamen on board EU vessels shall be governed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which shall apply as of right to the corresponding contracts and general terms of employment. This concerns in particular the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Article 4

Scientific cooperation

1.   During the period covered by this Agreement, the EU and Solomon Islands shall endeavour to monitor the state of fishery resources in Solomon Islands fishing zone.

2.   The two Parties shall on the basis of the recommendations and resolutions adopted within all the relevant international fisheries development and management organisations, and in the light of the best available scientific advice, consult each other within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Agreement and adopt, where appropriate, measures to ensure the sustainable management of fishery resources, in particular those affecting the activities of EU vessels.

3.   The Parties undertake to consult one other, either directly, including at subregional level, or within the international organisations concerned, to ensure the management and conservation of living resources in the West and Central Pacific, and to cooperate in the relevant scientific research.

Article 5

Access by EU vessels to the fisheries in Solomon Islands waters

1.   Solomon Islands undertake to authorise EU vessels to engage in fishing activities in its fishing zone in accordance with this Agreement, including the Protocol and Annex thereto.

2.   The fishing activities governed by this Agreement shall be subject to the laws and regulations in force in Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands authorities shall notify the EU authorities of any amendments to that legislation. Without prejudice to any provisions which might be agreed between the Parties, EU vessels shall comply with such amendments within one month of their notification.

3.   Solomon Islands undertake to take all the appropriate steps required for the effective application of the fisheries monitoring provisions in the Protocol. EU vessels shall cooperate with the Solomon Islands authorities responsible for carrying out such monitoring.

4.   The EU undertakes to take all the appropriate steps required to ensure that its vessels comply with this Agreement and the legislation governing fisheries in the Solomon Islands fishing zone.

Article 6

Conditions governing fishing activities – Exclusivity clause

1.   EU vessels may fish in Solomon Islands fishing zone only if they are in possession of a valid fishing authorisation issued by Solomon Islands authorities under this Agreement and the Protocol hereto.

2.   For fishing categories not covered by the Protocol in force, and for exploratory fishing, the Solomon Islands authorities may grant fishing authorisations to EU vessels. However, the granting of these authorisations remains dependent on a favourable opinion from the two Parties.

3.   The procedure for obtaining a fishing authorisation for a vessel, the charges applicable and the method of payment to be used by the EU vessels shall be as set out in the Annex to the Protocol.

Article 7

Financial contribution

1.   The EU shall grant Solomon Islands a financial contribution in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the Protocol and Annexes. This single contribution shall be based on two elements, namely:

(a)	access by EU vessels to the Solomon Islands fishing zone and fishery resources, and

(b)	EU financial support for implementing a national fisheries policy based on responsible fishing and on the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in Solomon Islands waters.

2.   The element of the financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1(b) above shall be determined in the light of objectives identified by mutual agreement between the Parties in accordance with the Protocol, to be achieved in the context of the sectoral fisheries policy drawn up by the Solomon Islands authorities and an annual and multiannual programme for its implementation.

3.   The financial contribution granted by the EU shall be paid each year in accordance with the Protocol and subject to this Agreement and the Protocol in the event of any change to the amount of the contribution as a result of:

(a)	unusual circumstances;

(b)	a reduction in the fishing opportunities granted to EU vessels, made by mutual agreement for the purposes of managing the stocks concerned, where this is considered necessary for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of resources on the basis of the best available scientific advice;

(c)	an increase in the fishing opportunities granted to EU vessels, made by mutual agreement between the Parties where the best available scientific advice concurs that the state of resources so permits;

(d)	a joint reassessment of the terms of financial support for implementing a sectoral fisheries policy in Solomon Islands, where this is warranted by the results of the annual and multiannual programming observed by both Parties;

(e)	suspension of the application of this Agreement under Article 13;

(f)	termination of this Agreement under Article 14.

Article 8

Promoting cooperation among economic stakeholders and in civil society

1.   The Parties shall encourage economic, scientific and technical cooperation in the fisheries and related sectors. The Parties shall consult one another with a view to coordinating the different measures that might be taken to this end.

2.   The Parties undertake to promote exchanges of information on fishing techniques and gear, preservation methods and the processing of fishery products.

3.   The Parties shall endeavour to create conditions favourable to the promotion of relations between their enterprises in the technical, economic and commercial spheres, by encouraging the establishment of an environment favourable to the development of business and investment.

4.   The Parties shall encourage, in particular, the setting-up of joint enterprises in their mutual interest which shall systematically comply with Solomon Islands and EU legislation.

Article 9

Joint Committee

1.   A Joint Committee shall be set up to monitor and verify the application and the implementation of this Agreement. The Joint Committee shall perform the following functions:

(a)	monitoring the performance, interpretation, implementation and smooth operation of the application of the Agreement;

(b)	monitoring and evaluating the contribution of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement to the implementation of Solomon Islands sectoral fisheries policy;

(c)	providing the necessary liaison for matters of mutual interest relating to fisheries;

(d)	acting as a forum for the amicable settlement of any disputes regarding the interpretation, implementation or application of the Agreement;

(e)	reassessing, where appropriate, the level of fishing opportunities and, consequently, of the financial contribution;

(f)	adapting, when appropriate, the modalities for calculating the fishing effort, taking into account the provisions applicable at a regional level, e.g. Vessels Day Scheme;

(g)	any other function that the Parties decide by mutual agreement to confer on it, including with regard to combating illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing.

2.   The Joint Committee shall meet at least once a year, alternately in Solomon Islands and in the Community, or in any other location agreed by the Parties and shall be chaired by the Party hosting the meeting. It shall hold a special meeting at the request of either of the Parties.

Where required, at request of either of the Parties, decisions of the Joint Committee may be taken by written procedure.

Article 10

Geographical area to which the Agreement applies

This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union applies, under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, and, on the other, to the territory of Solomon Islands.

Article 11

Duration

This Agreement shall apply for three years from the date of its entry into force; it shall be tacitly renewed for three-year periods, unless notice of termination is given in accordance with Article 14.

Article 12

Settlement of disputes

The Parties shall consult each other on any dispute concerning the interpretation, implementation and/or application of this Agreement.

Article 13

Suspension

1.   Subject to article 12, the application of this Agreement may be suspended at the initiative of one of the Parties in the event of a serious disagreement as to the application of provisions laid down in the Agreement. Suspension of application of the Agreement shall require the interested Party to notify its intention in writing at least three months before the date on which suspension is due to take effect. On receipt of this notification, the Parties shall enter into consultations with a view to resolving their differences amicably.

2.   Payment of the financial contribution referred to in Article 7 shall be reduced proportionately and pro rata temporis, according to the duration of the suspension.

Article 14

Termination

1.   This Agreement may be terminated by either Party in the event of unusual circumstances such as the degradation of the stocks concerned, the discovery of a reduction in the level of fishing opportunities granted by Solomon Islands to EU vessels, or failure to comply with undertakings made by the Parties with regard to combating illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing.

2.   The Party concerned shall notify the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate the Agreement at least six months before the date of expiry of the initial period or each additional period.

3.   Dispatch of the notification referred to in paragraph 2 shall open consultations by the Parties.

4.   Payment of the financial contribution referred to in Article 7 for the year in which the termination takes effect shall be reduced proportionately and pro rata temporis.

Article 15

Protocol and Annex

The Protocol and the Annex shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

Article 16

National law

The activities of EU fishing vessels operating in Solomon Islands waters shall be governed by the applicable law in Solomon Islands, unless otherwise provided for in the Agreement, this Protocol and the Annex and Appendices hereto.

Article 17

Repeal

On the date of its entry into force, this Agreement repeals and replaces the Partnership Agreement between the European Community and Solomon Islands on fishing off Solomon Islands which entered into force on 9 October 2006.

Article 18

Entry into force

This Agreement, drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian, Spanish, Czech, Danish, German, Estonian, Greek, English, French, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Finnish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being equally authentic, shall enter into force on the date on which the Parties notify each other in writing that they have completed their respective necessary internal procedures to that end.

---

PROTOCOL

setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands for the period from 9 October 2009 to 8 October 2012

Article 1

Period of application and fishing opportunities

1.   Solomon Islands shall grant annual fishing opportunities to EU tuna fishing vessels pursuant to Article 5 of the Agreement, in conformity with its National Tuna Management Plan and within the limits established by the Palau Arrangement for the Management of the Western Pacific Purse Seine Fishery, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Palau Arrangement’.

2.   For a period of 3 years from 9 October 2009, the fishing opportunities foreseen under Article 5 of the Agreement shall be for highly migratory species (species listed in Annex 1 to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) as follows:

—	purse seiners: 4 vessels.

3.   Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall apply subject to Articles 4 and 5 of this Protocol.

4.   Vessels flying the flag of a Member State of the EU may engage in fishing activities in Solomon Islands fishing zone only if they are in possession of a valid fishing authorisation issued by Solomon Islands authorities under this Protocol in accordance with the Annex hereto.

Article 2

Financial contribution — Methods of payment

1.   The financial contribution referred to in Article 7 of the Agreement shall comprise, for the period referred to in Article 1(2):

—	an annual amount of EUR 260 000 equivalent to a reference tonnage of 4 000 tonnes per year, and

—	a specific amount of EUR 140 000 per year for the support and implementation of Solomon Islands’ sectoral fisheries policy. This specific amount shall form an integral part of the single financial contribution defined in Article 7 of the Agreement.

2.   Paragraph 1 of this Article shall apply subject to Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Protocol.

3.   The EU shall pay the total amount fixed in paragraph 1 of this Article (i.e. EUR 400 000) each year during the period of application of this Protocol.

4.   If the overall quantity of catches by EU vessels in Solomon Islands’ fishing zones exceeds the reference tonnage, the amount of the annual financial contribution shall be increased by EUR 65 for each additional tonne caught. However, the total annual amount paid by the EU may not be more than twice the amount indicated in paragraph 3 of this Article (EUR 800 000). Where the quantities caught by EU vessels exceed the quantities corresponding to twice the total annual amount, the amount due for the quantity exceeding that limit shall be paid the following year.

5.   Payment of the financial contribution laid down in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be made no later than 1 December 2010 in the first year and no later than the anniversary date of the Protocol for the following years.

6.   Subject to Article 7, the allocation of these funds shall be decided within the framework of the Solomon Islands Financial Instructions and, this being the case, the Solomon Islands authorities shall have full discretion regarding the use to which it is put.

7.   The payments provided for in this Article shall be paid into a Public Treasury bank account opened at the Central Bank of Solomon Islands the details of which shall be notified each year by the Solomon Islands authorities to the EU.

Article 3

Cooperation on responsible fishing — Scientific cooperation

1.   The Parties hereby undertake to promote responsible fishing in the Solomon Islands fishing zone on the principle of non-discrimination between the different fleets fishing in those waters.

2.   During the period covered by this Protocol, the EU and Solomon Islands shall endeavour to monitor the state of fishery resources in the Solomon Islands fishing zone.

3.   The Parties undertake to promote cooperation at subregional level on responsible fishing and, in particular, within the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and any other subregional or international organisation concerned.

4.   In accordance with Article 4 of the Agreement and in the light of the best available scientific advice, the Parties shall consult each other within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Agreement and adopt, where appropriate, measures to ensure the sustainable management of fishery resources, in particular those affecting the activities of EU vessels.

Article 4

Review of fishing opportunities by mutual agreement

1.   The fishing opportunities referred to in Article 1 may be increased by mutual agreement provided that the conclusions of the annual meeting of the ‘Palau Arrangement’ members and the annual review of the status of stocks made by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community confirm that such an increase will not endanger the sustainable management of Solomon Islands’ resources. In this case the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(1) shall be increased proportionately and pro rata temporis.

2.   Conversely, if the Parties agree to adopt a reduction in the fishing opportunities provided for in Article 1, the financial contribution shall be reduced proportionately and pro rata temporis.

Article 5

Other fishing opportunities

1.   Should EU vessels be interested in fishing opportunities which are not indicated in Article 1, both Parties shall agree on the conditions applicable to these new fishing opportunities and, if necessary, make amendments to this Protocol and to the Annex hereto.

2.   The Parties may carry out joint exploratory fishing surveys in Solomon Islands fishing zone, subject to an opinion by a scientific meeting to be set up by the Parties. To this end, they shall hold consultations whenever one of the Parties so requests and determine, on a case-by-case basis, relevant new resources, conditions and other parameters.

3.   The two Parties shall carry out exploratory fishing activities in accordance with scientific and administrative parameters adopted by mutual agreement. The authorisations for exploratory fishing shall be granted for test purposes, for a duration and a starting date to be decided by mutual agreement between the two Parties.

4.   Where the Parties conclude that the exploratory surveys have produced positive results, while preserving ecosystems and conserving living marine resources, new fishing opportunities may be awarded to EU vessels following the consultation procedure provided for in Article 4 of this Protocol and until the expiry of the Protocol and in accordance with the allowable effort. The financial contribution shall be increased accordingly and calculated using agreed formula.

Article 6

Suspension and review of the payment of the financial contribution in the event of unusual circumstances

1.   Where unusual circumstances, other than natural phenomena, prevent fishing activities in Solomon Islands exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the EU may suspend payment of the financial contribution provided for in Article 2(1) of this Protocol.

2.   The suspension decision in the cases provided for in paragraph 1 above shall be taken following consultations between the two Parties within a period of two months following the request of one of the Parties, and provided that the EU has paid in full any amounts due at the time of suspension.

3.   Payment of the financial contribution shall resume as soon as the Parties find, by mutual agreement following consultations, that the circumstances preventing fishing activities are no longer present and/or that the situation allows a resumption of fishing activities.

4.   Where the validity of the fishing authorisations granted to EU vessels is suspended along with the payment of the financial contribution, it shall be extended by a period equal to the period during which fishing activities were suspended.

Article 7

Promotion of responsible fishing in Solomon Islands waters

1.   50 % of the financial contribution of this Protocol shall be allocated each year to the support and implementation of objectives identified in the context of the sectoral fisheries policy drawn up by the Solomon Islands authorities and approved by the two Parties as detailed below.

Solomon Islands shall manage the corresponding amount following the identification by mutual agreement between the two Parties, in accordance with the current priorities of Solomon Islands fisheries policy for ensuring sustainable and responsible management of the sector, of the objectives to be attained and the annual and multiannual programming required to attain them, pursuant to paragraph 2 below.

2.   On a proposal from Solomon Islands and for the purposes of implementing the preceding paragraph, as soon as this Protocol enters into force and no later than three months after that date, the EU and Solomon Islands shall agree, within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Agreement, on a multiannual sectoral programme and detailed implementing rules covering, in particular:

(a)	annual and multiannual guidelines for using the percentage of the financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 above for the initiatives to be carried out each year;

(b)

objectives, both annual and multiannual, to be achieved with a view to promoting over the long term responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries, taking account of the priorities expressed by Solomon Islands in its national fisheries policy and other policies relating to or having an impact on the promotion of responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries;

(c)	criteria and procedures for evaluating the results obtained each year.

3.   The two Parties agree, however, to place particular emphasis on all the support measures for implementing the Oceanic Tuna Fisheries Strategy.

4.   Any proposed amendments to the multiannual sectoral programme must be approved by both Parties within the Joint Committee.

5.   Each year, Solomon Islands shall allocate the share corresponding to the amounts referred to in paragraph 1 with a view to implementing the multiannual programme. For the first year of application of the Protocol, that allocation shall be notified to the EU as soon as possible and in any event before the multiannual sectoral programme is approved within the Joint Committee. For each year thereafter, Solomon Islands shall notify the EU of the allocation no later than 45 days before the anniversary date of this Protocol.

6.   Where the joint annual evaluation of the progress made in implementing the multiannual sectoral programme so warrants, the EU may adjust the amount earmarked for the support and implementation of Solomon Islands sectoral fisheries policy within the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(1) of this Protocol in order to bring the actual amount of financial resources allocated to implementation of the programme into line with its results.

7.   The EU reserves the right to suspend payment of the specific contribution provided for in the third subparagraph of Article 2(1) of this Protocol where, save in exceptional and duly justified circumstances, the results obtained from the first year of application of the Protocol are found to be inconsistent with the programming following the evaluation carried out within the Joint Committee.

Article 8

Disputes — Suspension of application of the Protocol

1.   Any dispute between the Parties over the interpretation of this Protocol or its application shall be subject of consultations between the Parties within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Agreement, in a special meeting if necessary.

2.   Without prejudice to Article 9, application of the Protocol may be suspended at the initiative of one Party if the dispute between the two Parties is deemed to be serious and the consultations held within the Joint Committee under paragraph 1 have not resulted in an amicable settlement.

3.   Suspension of application of the Protocol shall require the interested Party to notify its intention in writing at least three months before the date on which suspension is due to take effect.

4.   In the event of suspension, the Parties shall continue to consult with a view to finding an amicable settlement to their dispute. As soon as an amicable settlement is reached, application of the Protocol shall resume and the amount of the financial contribution shall be reduced proportionately and pro rata temporis according to the period during which application of the Protocol was suspended.

Article 9

Suspension of application of the Protocol on grounds of non-payment

Subject to Article 6 of this Protocol, if the EU fails to make the payments provided for in Article 2, application of this Protocol may be suspended on the following terms:

(a)	Solomon Islands authorities shall notify the European Commission of the non-payment. The latter shall perform the appropriate verification and, where necessary, transmit the payment within no more than 60 working days of the date of receipt of the notification.

(b)	If no payment is made and non-payment is not adequately justified within the period provided for in Article 2(5) of this Protocol, Solomon Islands authorities shall be entitled to suspend application of the Protocol. They shall inform the European Commission of such action forthwith.

(c)	Application of the Protocol shall resume as soon as the payment concerned has been made.

Article 10

National law

The activities of EU fishing vessels operating in Solomon Islands waters shall be governed by the applicable law in Solomon Islands, unless otherwise provided for in the Agreement, this Protocol and the Annex and Appendices hereto.

Article 11

Review clause

1.   In the event of significant changes in the policy guidelines which led to the conclusion of this Protocol, either Party may request a review of the provisions with a view to a possible amendment thereof.

2.   The Party concerned shall notify the other Party in writing of its intention to launch a review of this Protocol.

3.   No later than 60 days following notification, the two Parties shall enter into consultations to this end. If no agreement is reached on the review of the provisions, the Party concerned may terminate the Protocol in accordance with Article 14 thereof.

Article 12

Repeal

This Protocol and its annexes repeal and replace the fisheries Protocol between the European Community and Solomon Islands on fishing off Solomon Islands, which entered into force on 9 October 2006.

Article 13

Duration

This Protocol and the annexes hereto shall apply for a period of 3 years from 9 October 2009, unless notice of termination is given in accordance with Article 14.

Article 14

Termination

In the event of termination of the Protocol, the Party concerned shall notify the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate it at least six months before the date on which such termination would take effect. Dispatch of the notification referred to in the previous paragraph shall open consultations by the Parties.

Article 15

Entry into force

1.   This Protocol with its Annex shall enter into force on the date on which the Parties notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for that purpose.

2.   It shall apply with effect from 9 October 2009.

22.7.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 190/27

---

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

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.

Sir,

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

I am pleased to confirm the agreement of the European Union to a provisional application.

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