7.6.2014 Official Journal of the European Union L 168/27 REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 607/2014 of 19 mai 2014 on the allocation of fishing opportunities under 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 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(3) 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 894/2007 (). (2)  The Union and the Democratic Republic of Sdo Tomé and Principe negotiated and initialled, on 19 December 2013, a new Protocol to the Partnership Agreement granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the waters over which the Democratic Republic of Sdo Tomé and Principe has sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fish- eries. (3)  On 19 mai 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/334/EU (} on the signing and provisional application of the new Protocol. (4)  The method for allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should be defined for the period of application of the new Protocol. (5)  If it appears that the fishing authorisations or opportunities allocated to the Union by virtue of the new Protocol are not fully exhausted, the Commission will inform the Member States thereof in accordance with Council Regu- lation (EC) No 1006/2008 (). If no reply is received within a time limit to be set by the Council, this will be considered as confirmation that the vessels of the Member State concerned are not making full use of their fishing opportunities during the period in question. That time limit should be set. (6)  To ensure the continuity of the fishing activities of Union vessels, the new Protocol provides for its application by the parties on a provisional basis from the date of its signature. This Regulation should therefore apply from the date of signature of the new Protocol, (") 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). (%) Council Decision 2014/334/EU 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 Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of S0 Tomé and Principe (see page 1 of this Official Journal). (®) Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/2008 of 29 September 2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of Community fishing vessels outside Community waters, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93 and (EC) No 1627/94 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 33).