FantasticSearch

(1) The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Cook Islands (‘the Agreement’) was concluded by Council Decision (EU) 2017/418 and entered into force on 10 May 2017. The Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement (‘the current Protocol’) was provisionally applied since 14 October 2016 .

(2) The current Protocol was extended for one year , and is due to expire on 13 November 2021.

(3) On 7 July 2020, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the Government of the Cook Islands for the conclusion of a new Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement (‘the Protocol’).

(4) As a result of those negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 28 July 2021.

(5) On 11 November 2021, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2021/2317 on the signing and provisional application of the Protocol.

(6) The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol should be allocated among the Member States for the entire period of its application.

(7) In view of the economic importance of the Union fishing activities in the Cook Islands’ fishing areas and in view of the need to avoid interrupting those activities upon the expiration of the current Protocol, this Regulation should enter into force as soon as possible.

(8) The Protocol will apply on a provisional basis as from the date of its signature, in order to allow for the fishing activities of Union vessels. This Regulation should therefore apply from the same date,