7. 8. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 196/11 COUNCIL DECISION of 23 July 1996 authorizing the Kingdom of Spain to extend until 7 March 1997 the Agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa (96/480/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal, and in particular Article 167 (3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas the Agreement on mutual fishery relations between the Government of the Kingdom of Spain and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, signed on 14 August 1979, entered into force on 8 March 1982 for an initial period of 10 years; whereas the Agreement remains in force for an indeterminate period if it is not denounced by the giving of 12 months’ notice; Whereas Article 167 (2) of the Act of Accession lays down that the rights and obligations resulting from the fisheries agreements concluded by the Kingdom of Spain with third countries shall not be affected during the period for which the provisions of such agreements are provisionally maintained; Whereas, pursuant to Article 167 (3) of the said Act, the Council is to adopt, before the expiry of the fisheries agreements concluded by the Kingdom of Spain with third countries, decisions appropriate for the continuation of fishing activities resulting therefrom, including the possibility of prolonging for periods not exceeding one year; whereas the abovementioned Agreement has been extended until 7 March 1996 (); Whereas, in order to avoid fishing by the Community vessels concerned being interrupted, it appears appro- priate to authorize the Kingdom of Spain to renew the Agreement in question until 7 March 1997, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The Kingdom of Spain is hereby authorized to extend until 7 March 1997 the Agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa which entered into force on 8 March 1982. Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Spain. Done at Brussels, 23 July 1996. For the Council The President I. YATES () OJ No L 329, 30. 12. 1995, p. 35.