(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the proposal for a Council regulation (COM(2004)0619)(1),

–   having regard to Articles 37 and 300(2) of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Article 300(3), first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0138/2004),

–   having regard to Rules 51 and 83(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Development (A6-0114/2005),

1.  Approves the proposal for a Council regulation as amended and approves conclusion of the Protocol;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 1 Recital 3 a (new) (3a) It is important to improve the information provided to the European Parliament. To this end, the Commission should draw up an annual report on the implementation of the agreement. Amendment 2 Recital 4 a (new) (4a) The protection of the EU's interests in the field of fisheries must be coordinated with the sustainable management of fishery resources in economic, social and environmental terms, and with the sustainable development of coastal populations dependent on fisheries. Amendment 3 Recital 4 b (new) (4b) The Commission must continue with its impact assessment studies concerning the sustainable character of the Agreement with Côte d'Ivoire. Amendment 4 Recital 4 c (new) (4c) Action must be taken to encourage the participation of local community organisations based on traditional forms of association, and due attention must be paid to the role played by women in the processing and marketing of fishery products. Amendment 5 Recital 4 d (new) (4d) An evaluation of the implementation of the Agreement must be made after the first year. Amendment 6 Recital 4 e (new) (4e) The necessary resources must be made available to ensure that the conditions of this agreement can be fulfilled. Amendment 7 Article 3 a (new) Article 3a During the final year of the Protocol's validity and before another agreement is concluded on its renewal, the Commission shall submit to the EuropeanParliament and to the Council a report on the application of the agreement and the conditions under which it was implemented. Amendment 8 Article 3 b (new) Article 3b On the basis of the report referred to in Article 3a and after consulting the European Parliament, the Council shall, where appropriate, grant the Commission a negotiating mandate with a view to the adoption of a new protocol. Amendment 9 Article 3 c (new) Article 3c Each year the Commission shall forward to the European Parliament and to the Council the report on the targeted measures which the Côte d'Ivoire authorities are to supply in accordance with Article 4(2) of the Protocol.

(1) Not yet published in OJ.