29.5.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 133/83 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 19 May 2003 on the signing, on behalf of the European Community, and provisional application of the Agree- ment in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast for the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003 (2003/384/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 37 in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) The European Community and the Republic of Guinea have held negotiations to determine the amendments or additions to be made to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast () at the end of the period of application of the Protocol annexed to the said Agreement. (2)  During these negotiations, the two parties decided to extend the current Protocol (3) for a second one-year period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003 by means of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters, pending the conclusion of the negotiations on the amendments to be made to the Protocol. (3)  Under this Exchange of Letters, Community fishermen have fishing opportunities in the waters under the sover- eignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Guinea for the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003. (4)  The extension must be applied at the earliest opportu- nity in order to avoid fishing activities by Community vessels being interrupted. The Agreement in the form of () O L 111, 27.4.1983, p. 1. (%) The current Protocol was approved by Regulation (EC) No 445/ 2001 (OJ L 64, 6.3.2001, p. 3) extended by one year by Regulation (EC) No 924/2002 (O] L 144, 1.6.2002, p. 3). an Exchange of Letters should therefore be signed, pending a definitive decision under Article 37 of the Treaty, and applied provisionally. (5)  The method of allocating the fishing opportunities for trawlers and tuna boats among the Member States under the Protocol that is due to expire should be confirmed, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The signature of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast for the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003 is hereby approved on behalf of the Commu- nity, pending the Council decision on conclusion of the Agree- ment. The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The Agreement referred to in Article 1 shall apply provisionally in the Community with effect from 1 January 2003.