Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters

concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008 the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast

A. Letter from the Republic of Guinea

Sir,

With reference to the Protocol initialled on 27 June 2003 in Brussels setting out fishing opportunities and the financial contribution for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Guinea is prepared to apply this Protocol on a provisional basis with effect from 1 January 2004, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 9 of the said Protocol, provided the European Community is prepared to do likewise.

It is understood that, this being the case, the first instalment of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol will be paid by 30 September 2004.

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 Republic of Guinea

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 27 June 2003 in Brussels setting out fishing opportunities and the financial contribution for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Guinea is prepared to apply this Protocol on a provisional basis with effect from 1 January 2004, pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 9 of the said Protocol, provided the European Community is prepared to do likewise.

It is understood that, this being the case, the first instalment of the financial compensation specified in Article 2 of the Protocol will be paid by 30 September 2004.

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

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

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union