WRITTEN QUESTION E-3520/00

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(13 November 2000)

Subject: Negotiations on fisheries agreements with Cape Verde, Brazil, Senegal and Kiribati

The Commission is doing far too little as regards negotiating the conclusion or the extension of fisheries agreements with third countries. Not only is the fleet which used to fish in Moroccan waters tied up in port; the expiry of the agreement with Cape Verde means that a further 38 Community vessels will be idle. The fisheries sector is accusing the Commission of allowing the Community's agreements with African countries to die.

What action has the Commission taken with a view to renewing the agreement with Cape Verde?

What information can the Commission provide regarding the dealings which it has had with the Senegalese authorities with a view to renewing the current agreement, which will expire in May 2001?

What stages are being taken to secure an agreement between the European Community and Brazil? What species will fishing vessels be able to catch, and in which waters?

What information can the Commission provide regarding the dealings it has had with the Kiribati Government with a view to securing a fisheries agreement?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2000)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for her interest in the renewal of the Protocols relating to the fisheries agreements with Cape Verde and Senegal and in the possibilities of concluding similar agreements with Brazil and Kiribati.

The Commission is pleased to inform her that, aware of the importance of renewing the protocol with Cape Verde before it expired, it made some preparatory contacts and subsequently took part in three negotiating rounds. The first round was held in Brussels on 19/20 July 2000, the second in Praia 23-25 August 2000 and the last in Brussels on 6/7 November 2000.

Despite the significant progress made in these three rounds, especially on the issue of fishing opportunities and financial compensation, it proved impossible to conclude an agreement. The Commission, with the full approval of the Member States concerned (most notably Spain), could not accept Cape Verde's insistence that a condition be inserted in the protocol obliging surface long-liners to land their catches in the port of Mindelo. The Commission will make every effort to conclude this agreement as soon as possible. Cape Verde has not yet set a new date for negotiations, however.

Turning to Senegal, the Commission and Member States together have begun to prepare for the first round of negotiations to renew the current protocol, which expires on 30 April 2001. Negotiations should start early in 2001. When the Commissioner responsible for Fisheries met the Senegalese Fisheries Minister on 19 October 2000, he reiterated the Community's wish to maintain the good relations it enjoys with Senegal in this field.

In the case of Brazil, the Commission is committed to exploring the possibilities for developing bilateral cooperation on fisheries, including the issue of Community access to Brazilian waters. The Commission has invited the Brazilian authorities to Brussels with a view to initiating exploratory talks on this subject before the end of the year.

The Commission is studying a possible bilateral tuna fisheries agreement with the Republic of Kiribati and is analysing the implications this would have for the mid-western Pacific.