European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters extending the Protocol setting out, for the period 1 June 2005 to 31 May 2006, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe on fishing off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe (COM(2005)0630 – C6-0045/2006 – 2005/0249(CNS))
(Consultation procedure)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the proposal for a Council regulation (COM(2005)0630)(1),
– having regard to Article 37 and Article 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 (C6-0045/2006),
– 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 (A6-0132/2006),
1. Approves the proposal for a Council regulation as amended and approves conclusion of the agreement;
2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe.
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendments by Parliament
Amendment 1 Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The Community financial contribution should also be used for the development of coastal communities living on fisheries and the creation of small local fish-canning and processing firms.
Amendment 2 Article 1 a (new)
Article 1a The European Parliament's opinion on the extension or conclusion of fisheries partnership agreements shall be sought as swiftly as possible, so that such an opinion is not requested after the date of payment of any financial compensation.
Amendment 3 Article 3 a (new)
Article 3a During the final year of the Protocol's validity and before any agreement is concluded on its renewal, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the application of the agreement and the conditions under which it was implemented.
Amendment 4 Article 3 b (new)
Article 3b The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the results of the targeted actions described in Article 4 of the Protocol.
Amendment 5 Article 3 c (new)
Article 3c The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament a copy of the report relating to the evaluation study on "deep-water crab" stocks scheduled for 2006.
Amendment 6 Article 3 d (new)
Article 3d Before concluding negotiations on the renewal of this agreement, the Commission shall forward to the European Parliament the positions of the Member States which have an interest in its renewal.