4.12.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 319/17 COUNCIL DECISION of 27 November 2003 on the signing, on behalf of the Community, and provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending for the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 the validity of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Cote d'Ivoire (2003/838/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 37 in conjunction with the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) Under the terms of the Agreement between the Euro- pean Economic Community and the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Cote d'Ivoire (), the contracting parties are, prior to the expiry of the period of validity of the Protocol to the Agreement, to enter into negotiations to determine by mutual agreement the contents of the Protocol for the period that follows and, where applicable, the amendments or additions to be made to the Annex thereto. (2)  The two parties have decided that, pending negotiations on amendments to the Protocol, the period of validity of the current Protocol approved by Regulation (EC) No 722/2001 (3, should be extended by one year by means of an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters initialled on 16 May 2003. (3) By virtue of the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters, Community fishermen are, from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, entitled to fishing opportunities in waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Cote d'Tvoire. (4 To avoid any interruption in the fishing activities of Community vessels it is essential that the extension should come into effect as soon as possible. It is there- fore advisable to sign the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters and apply it provisionally pending the completion of the procedures required for concluding it. (5)  The method of allocating the fishing opportunities among Member States on the basis of the Protocol that has expired should be confirmed, () OJ L 379, 31.12.1990, p. 3. () OJ L 102, 12.4.2001, p. 1. HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The signing of the Agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending for the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 the validity of the Protocol setting out the fishing oppor- tunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agree- ment between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cote d'Tvoire on fishing off the coast of Cote d'Ivoire is hereby approved on behalf of the Community, pending a Council Decision to conclude the Agreement. The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters shall apply provisionally from 1 July 2003. Article 3 The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol shall be allo- cated among the Member States as follows: (a) demersal fishing: Spain: 600 GRT per month, annual average (b) tuna fishing: (i) tuna seiners — France: 18 vessels — Spain: 21 vessels (i) surface longliners — Spain: 15 vessels — Portugal: 5 vessels (ili) pole-and-line tuna vessels — France: 7 vessels — Spain: 5 vessels.