Brussels, 13/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - A new fisheries partnership agreement has recently been concluded between the EU and Sao Tomé e Principe. Lasting four years from June 2006, the agreement provides fishing possibilities exclusively on tuna for 43 Community vessels - 25 seiners and 18 long-liners, from France, Spain and Portugal - compared with 61 in the current agreement. The EU financial contribution will amount to €663,000 per year, with €552,500 of this amount being paid for a reference quota of 8,500 tonnes of tuna per year. The Government of Sao Tomé e Principe has agreed to dedicate 50% of the total financial contribution to the promotion of sustainable fisheries in their waters. The cost of fishing licences paid by EU vessels has been increased from €25 to €35 per tonne of tuna. On 30 January, the EU Council adopted a decision extending the protocol to the fisheries agreement between the EU and Sao Tomé e Principe from 1st June 2005 to 31 May 2006 (see EUROPE 9120 and 9085). This one-year extension allowed the parties to negotiate a new fisheries agreement.