Agreement

in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005

A. Letter from the Government of the Gabonese Republic

Sir,

With reference to the Protocol initialled on 20 September 2001 at Libreville setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution for the period 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Gabonese Republic is prepared to apply the Protocol on a provisional basis with effect from 3 December 2001, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 6 thereof, provided that the European Community is disposed to do the same.

This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol is paid by 30 April 2002.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Community's agreement to such provisional application.

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

For the Government of the Gabonese Republic

B. Letter from the European Community

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "With reference to the Protocol initialled on 20 September 2001 at Libreville setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution for the period 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Gabonese Republic is prepared to apply the Protocol on a provisional basis with effect from 3 December 2001, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 6 thereof, provided that the European Community is disposed to do the same.

This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol is paid by 30 April 2002.

I should be obliged if you would confirm the European Community's agreement to such provisional application."

I have the honour to confirm the Community's agreement to such provisional application of the Protocol.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union