7.6.2014 Official Journal of the European Union L 168/1 II (Non-legislative acts) INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS COUNCIL DECISION of 19 May 2014 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Part- nership Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Sio Tomé and Principe (2014/334/[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(5) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Whereas: (1) ~ On 23 July 2007, the Council approved the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Sdo Tomé and Principe and the European Community (the ‘Partnership Agreement) by adopting Regulation (EC) No 8942007 (). (2)  The application of the latest Protocol (%) setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Partnership Agreement expired on 12 May 2014. (3)  The Union negotiated with Sdo Tomé and Principe a new Protocol, for a period of four years, granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the waters over which the Democratic Republic of Sio Tomé and Principe has sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fisheries. At the end of those negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 19 December 2013. (4)  In order to guarantee the continuity of fishing activities by Union vessels, provision is made for the new Protocol to apply provisionally, pending completion of the procedures necessary for its conclusion. This provisional appli- cation will take effect from the date of its signature, but not before the date of expiry of the latest Protocol. (5)  The new Protocol should be signed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Sio Tomé and Principe (the ‘Protocol’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the Protocol. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision. (") Council Regulation (EC) No 894/2007 of 23 July 2007 on the conclusion of a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of S30 Tomé and Principe and the European Community (OJ L 205, 7.8.2007, p. 35). (%) Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Sio Tomé and Principe (O] L 136, 24.5.2011, p. 5).