Brussels, 23/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 December, the EU Council of Ministers adopted, without debate, the decision ending the fisheries partnership between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea. The agreement permitted Community vessels to fish for bluefin tuna in Guinean waters (see EUROPE 10029). The EU refuses to pay money to the ruling junta which used excessive force to quell a demonstration in September 2009.
The protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea, initialled on 20 December 2008, has been provisionally applied since 1 January 2009 while awaiting the conclusion of a new fisheries partnership agreement between the two parties. The Commission decided to withdraw its proposal on the conclusion of such an agreement following the tragic events of 28 September, during which government forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing at least 150 people. The Council, then, has repealed Decision 2009/473/EC and will, on behalf of the European Union, inform the Republic of Guinea as soon as possible of the termination of the provisional application of the said agreement. (L.C./transl.rt)