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(1) On 23 July 2007, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 894/2007 concluding the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (‘the Agreement’). The Agreement entered into force on 29 August 2011 and remains in force.

(2) On 18 December 2017 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (‘São Tomé and Príncipe’) with a view to the conclusion of a new protocol to implement the Agreement.

(3) The previous protocol to the Agreement expired on 22 May 2018.

(4) The Commission has negotiated a new protocol on behalf of the Union. Following the conclusion of the negotiations, the new protocol was initialled on 17 April 2019.

(5) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2019/2218 the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (‘the Protocol’) was signed on 19 December 2019.

(6) The fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol should be allocated among the Member States for the duration of application of the Protocol.

(7) The Protocol will apply provisionally as from the the signature thereof in order to ensure an expeditious start to fishing activities by Union vessels. This Regulation should therefore apply from the same date,