L 160/4 Official Journal of the European Union 29.5.2014 COUNCIL DECISION of 13 May 2014 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol setting out the fishing oppor- tunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (2014/306/EU) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and Article 218(7) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament, Whereas: (I)  On 5 October 2006, the Council approved the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Com- munity and the Republic of Seychelles (*) (the ‘Agreement’) by means of Regulation (EC) No 1562/2006 (2). (2)  The fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement were set out in a Protocol (). The most recent Protocol expires on 17 January 2014. (3)  The Union has negotiated with the Republic of Seychelles a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement (the ‘new Protocol). (4)  In accordance with Council Decision 2014/5/EU (), the new Protocol has been signed and is applied on a provi- sional basis as from 18 January 2014. (5)  The Agreement set up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agree- ment. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the Commis- sion, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure. (6) It is in the interest of the Union to implement the Agreement by means of a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution and defining the conditions for promoting responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries in the Seychelles’ waters. (7)  The new Protocol should be approved, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partner- ship Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (the ‘Protocol’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union (%). () OJL 290, 20.10.2006, p. 2. (*) Council Regulation (EC) No 15622006 of 5 October 2006 concerning the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (O] L 290, 20.10.2006, p. 1). () OJL 345, 30.12.2010, p. 3. (*) Council Decision 2014/5/EU of 16 December 2013 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (O] L 4, 9.1.2014, p. 1). () The Protocol has been published in OJ L 4, 9.1.2014, p. 3 together with the decision on its signature.