14.11.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L 296/7 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 29 October 2001 on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribu- tion provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Demo- cratic Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar for the period from 21 May 2001 to 20 May 2004 (2001/790/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) Under the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Democratic Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar ('), the two Parties conducted negotiations to determine the amendments or additions to be made to the Agreement at the end of the period of application of the Protocol to the Agreement. (2)  As a result of those negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 12 March 2001. (3)  Under this Protocol, Community fishermen enjoy fishing opportunities in the waters falling within the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Madagascar for the period from 21 May 2001 to 20 May 2004. (4)  In order to ensure uninterrupted fishing activities by Community vessels, it is essential that the new Protocol be applied as quickly as possible. For this reason, the two Parties have initialled an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters providing for the provisional application of the initialled Protocol from 21 May 2001. (5)  The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters should be approved, pending a definitive decision under Article 37 of the Treaty. (6)  The method of allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should be defined on the () O] L 73, 18.3.1986, p. 26. basis of the traditional allocation of fishing opportunities under the Fisheries Agreement, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The 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 in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Democratic Republic of Mada- gascar on fishing off Madagascar for the period from 21 May 2001 to 20 May 2004, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The texts of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters and of the Protocol are attached to this Decision. Article 2 The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol shall be allocated among the Member States as follows: (@) Tuna seiners: Spain: 18 vessels France: 20 vessels Italy: 2 vessels (b) Surface longliners: Spain: 23 vessels France: 10 vessels Portugal: 7 vessels If licence applications from these Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities fixed by the Protocol, the Commis- sion may take into consideration licence applications from any other Member State.