L_202601548EN.000101.fmx.xml

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2026/1548

of 8 June 2026

on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6), point (a)(v), and Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1)

In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2025/2139 (1), the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029) (the ‘Protocol’) was signed on 6 October 2025, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(2)

The aim of the Protocol is to allow Union vessels to fish in São Tomé and Príncipe’s fishing zone, and to enable the Union and São Tomé and Príncipe to work together more closely to develop a sustainable fisheries policy, so as to promote the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in São Tomé and Príncipe’s fishing zone and in the Atlantic Ocean, and to help achieve decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

(3)	The Protocol should be approved on behalf of the Union.

(4)

Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2) (the ‘Agreement’) establishes a Joint Committee (the ‘Joint Committee’) responsible for monitoring the application of the Agreement, including its implementing protocols. Furthermore, the Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the implementing protocols. In order to facilitate the approval of amendments to the Protocol, the Commission should be empowered, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions set out in the Annex to this Decision, to approve such modifications on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

(5)	The Union’s position on the amendments to the Protocol should be established by the Council. The proposed amendments to the Protocol are approved unless a blocking minority of Member States, in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union, objects to them.

(6)	Since the Protocol lasts for more than one financial year, the budgetary commitments involved may be broken down over the duration of the Protocol into annual payments, in accordance with Article 112(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3).

(7)	The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and delivered an opinion on 20 August 2025,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029) (the ‘Protocol’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

Article 2

In accordance with the provisions and conditions set out in the Annex to this Decision, the Commission is hereby authorised to approve, on behalf of the Union, the amendments to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee established by Article 9 of the Agreement.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption (5).

Done at Luxembourg, 8 June 2026.

For the Council

The President

A. VAFEADES

(1) Council Decision (EU) 2025/2139 of 30 September 2025 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029) (OJ L, 2025/2139, 22.10.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2139/oj).

(2) OJ L 205, 7.8.2007, p. 36, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2007/894/oj.

(3) Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj).

(4) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1725/oj).

(5) The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.

ANNEX

Procedure for the approval of amendments to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee

(1)

Where the Joint Committee is asked to adopt amendments to the Protocol under Article 16(2) of the Protocol, the Commission is authorised to negotiate with the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe and, where appropriate and subject to compliance with point 3 of this Annex, to approve, on behalf of the Union, the proposed amendments to the Protocol as regards:

(a)	the review of fishing opportunities under Article 5(2), Article 9(1) and Article 10(2) of the Protocol and, consequently, the financial contribution provided for in Article 6(2)(a) of the Protocol;

(b)	the implementing arrangements for the sectoral support referred to in Article 7 of the Protocol;

(c)	the technical conditions and arrangements under which Union vessels carry out their fishing activities;

(d)	the additional safeguards for the protection of personal data provided for in Article 15(4) of the Protocol.

(2)

The Commission shall ensure that the approval on behalf of the Union:

(a)	is in accordance with the objectives of the common fisheries policy;

(b)	is consistent with the relevant rules adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and takes account of joint management by coastal states;

(c)	takes account of the most recent statistical, biological and other relevant information sent to the Commission.

(3)

To that end, and based on the information referred to in point 2(c), the Commission shall transmit to the Council, or to its preparatory bodies, in sufficient time before the relevant meeting of the Joint Committee, a document setting out in detail the particulars of the proposed Union position (the ‘preparatory document’) for consideration and approval.

(4)

The proposed Union position set out in the preparatory document shall be deemed to be approved, unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority of the Council, in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union, objects during a meeting of the Council’s preparatory body or within 20 days of receipt of the preparatory document, whichever occurs earlier. In the event of such objection, the matter shall be referred to the Council.

(5)

If, in the course of subsequent meetings of the Joint Committee, including on the spot, it is impossible to reach an agreement, the matter shall be referred back to the Council, in accordance with the procedure set out in points 2 to 4, in order for the Union position to take account of new factors.

(6)

The Commission is invited to take, in due time, any steps necessary to follow up on the decision of the Joint Committee, including, where appropriate, publishing the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union and submitting any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision.

(7)

As regards other matters, which do not concern amendments to the Protocol under Article 16(2) thereof, the position to be adopted by the Union within the Joint Committee shall be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established working practices.