CELEX: 52014PC0206
Language: en
Date: 2014-04-01 00:00:00
Title: Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Mozambique

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		52014PC0206
		
			Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Mozambique /* COM/2014/0206 final - 2014/ () */
			
				
		
		
			
			   	EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.           EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
The European Union and the Republic of   Mozambique have signed a protocol to the Fisheries Agreement which is
applicable from 1st February 2012. The protocol, which grants
fishing opportunities for the EU vessels and fixes the financial counterpart,
will expire on 31 January 2015.
The Commission proposes to negotiate a new
protocol that meets the actual possibilities and needs of the Members States
fleet and is in line with the 19 March 2012 Council Conclusions on a
Communication from the Commission on the External dimension of the Common
Fisheries Policy.
The Council is asked to adopt the
negotiation guidelines attached to this recommandation.
2.           RECOMMENDATION
In the light of the above, the Commission
recommends that:
- The Council authorises the Commission to
open and conduct negotiations for the renewal of the protocol in the framework
of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Republic of Mozambique;
- The Commission is nominated as the Union
negotiator for this subject;
- The Commission shall conduct such
negotiations in consultation with the special committee pursuant to the
provisions laid down in the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union;
- The Council approves the negotiation
guidelines attached to this recommendation.
Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
to authorise the Commission to open
negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the renewal of the protocol to
the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Mozambique
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 218
paragraphs 3 and 4,
Having regard to the Recommendation from
the Commission,
Whereas negotiations should be opened with
a view to concluding a new Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with
the Republic of Mozambique.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1
The Commission is hereby authorised to
negotiate, on behalf of the European Union, with a view to renewing the
Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Republic of Mozambique.
Article 2
These negotiations shall be conducted in
consultation with the Council Working Party on External Fisheries Policy and in
accordance with the negotiating directives set out in the Annex.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the
Commission
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
ANNEX
Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
to authorise the Commission to
open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the renewal of the
protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Mozambique
Negotiating directives
–                        
The objective of the negotiations is the renewal
of the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European
Union and the Republic of Mozambique in line with the Council Conclusions of
19 March 2012 on the Commission Communication of
13 July 2011 on the external dimension of the Common Fisheries
Policy.
–                        
With a view to ensuring, through this new
Protocol, the promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing, the
Commission's negotiation objectives shall be based on the following:
·              
Ensuring access to the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) of the Republic of Mozambique and the necessary authorisations for
vessels of the European Union fleet to carry out fishing activities in that
EEZ;
·              
Duly taking into account the best available
scientific advice and relevant management plans adopted by Regional Fisheries
Management Organisations (RFMO), in order to ensure and enhance the
environmental sustainability of fishing activities, directed exclusively at
available resources, taking into account the local fleet's fishing capacity,
while paying special attention to the highly migratory nature of the stocks
concerned;
·              
Seeking an appropriate share of the fisheries
resources, fully commensurate with the EU fleets' interests, when they also
interest other foreign fleets;
·              
Ensuring that access to fisheries is based on
similar criteria to those that apply to the current Protocol, while taking into
account the changes observed in recent years and in the light of the most
updated available scientific assessments;
·              
Continuing dialogue in order to reinforce
sectorial policy with a view to encouraging the implementation of a responsible
fisheries policy, in connection with the country's development objectives, in
particular as regards the governance, follow-up, control and monitoring of
fishing activities and scientific advice;
·              
Including a clause on the consequences of
violations of human rights and democratic principles;
·              
Taking into account, to the extent possible, the
interests of EU outermost regions economically and socially related to fishing
activities in Mozambique.
–                        
In order to avoid interruption of fishing
activities, the new Protocol should include a clause of provisional application
from the day following the date of expiry of the current Protocol. 
–                        
In particular, the Protocol should define:
·              
the fishing opportunities, by category, to be
granted to European Union vessels,
·              
the financial compensation and the conditions
for its payment, and
·              
the mechanisms for implementing sectorial
support.