AGREEMENT in the form of exchanges of letters between the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the European Economic Community on fishing off the coast of Guinea Bissau

Exchange of letters No 1

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

Sir,

With reference to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the European Economic Community signed today, I have the honour to remind you that my Government decided to approve the signing of the Agreement provided that the shipowners to whom fishing licences are granted under the Agreement contribute towards the practical vocational training of nationals of Guinea Bissau on the following terms and within the following limits:

1. Trawlers authorized under the Agreement to fish in waters over which the Republic of Guinea Bissau has sovereignty or jurisdiction may be obliged to take on board seamen of Guinea Bissau up to a proportion of 25 % of that part of their crew representing uncertificated personnel of the bridge, machines and general services (seamen, trainees, cleaners, greasers, galley boys, etc...).

2. Owners of freezer tuna boats authorized under the Agreement to fish in the waters referred to in point 1 above shall be responsible for employing nationals of Guinea Bissau either on board the tuna boats or in suitable positions ashore, following approval of the said positions by the authorities of Guinea Bissau. The number of positions referred to in this paragraph shall be determined in overall terms, account being taken of the scale of the tuna boats' activities in Guinea Bissau's fishing zone and the number of crew members of other nationalities from countries whose fishing zones the fleet frequents.

My Government would like the shipowners' contribution towards the vocational training of Guinea Bissau nationals to be examined by the Joint Committee referred to in Article 11 of the Agreement.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.

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

For the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau

B. Letter from the European Economic Community

Sir,

I am in receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

"With reference to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the European Economic Community signed today, I have the honour to remind you that my Government decided to approve the signing of the Agreement provided that the shipowners to whom fishing licences are granted under the Agreement contribute towards the practical vocational training of nationals of Guinea Bissau on the following terms and within the following limits:

1. Trawlers authorized under the Agreement to fish in waters over which the Republic of Guinea Bissau has sovereignty or jurisdiction may be obliged to take on board seamen of Guinea Bissau up to a proportion of 25 % of that part of their crew representing uncertificated personnel of the bridge, machines and general services (seamen, trainees, cleaners, greasers, galley boys, etc...).

2. Owners of freezer tuna boats authorized under the Agreement to fish in the waters referred to in point 1 above shall be responsible for employing nationals of Guinea Bissau either on board the tuna boats or in suitable positions ashore, following approval of the said positions by the authorities of Guinea Bissau. The number of positions reffered to in this paragraph shall be determined in overall terms, account being taken of the scale of the tuna boats' activities in Guinea Bissau's fishing zone and the number of crew members of other nationalities from countries whose fishing zones the fleet frequents.

My Government would like the shipowners' contribution towards the vocational training of Guinea Bissau nationals to be examined by the Joint Committee referred to in Article 11 of the Agreement."

I have the honour to inform you that the Community will have the letter published in order to bring its content to the attention of the shipowners concerned.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Communities

Exchange of letters No 2 A. Letter from the European Economic Community

Sir,

With reference to the Agreement on fisheries between the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 8 thereof, signed today, may I request that you confirm your agreement to the following conditions, decided upon to govern future landings of catches in Guinea Bissau.

The Joint Committee shall meet at the request of the Government of Guinea Bissau in order to determine the quantities and conditions for landings of fish, taking into consideration the requirements and the processing capacities of the shore installations in Guinea Bissau and the scale of landings by vessels of other nationalities fishing in Guinea Bissau's fishing zone.

In addition, should there be any landings of tuna, the fee shall be reduced by half and the economic conditions offered to the fishermen shall be comparable to those offered to the same vessels for the quantities landed at Dakar.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Communities

B. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau

Sir,

I am in receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

"With reference to the Agreement on fisheries between the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 8 thereof, signed today, may I request that you confirm your agreement to the following conditions, decided upon to govern future landings of catches in Guinea Bissau.

The Joint Committee shall meet at the request of the Government of Guinea Bissau in order to determine the quantities and conditions for landings of fish, taking into consideration the requirements and the processing capacities of the shore installations in Guinea Bissau and the scale of landings by vessels of other nationalities fishing in Guinea Bissau's fishing zone.

In addition, should there be any landings of tuna, the fee shall be reduced by half and the economic conditions offered to the fishermen shall be comparable to those offered to the same vessels for the quantities landed at Dakar."

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the conditions for future landings of catches as stated in that letter.

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

For the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau