EC/Côte d'Ivoire Fisheries Partnership Agreement: fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2018. Protocol

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by Jean Louis COTTIGNY (S&D, FR) on the draft Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (2013-2018).

Members recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

In the interests of transparency, Members called on the Commission to:

• provide the European Parliament with the minutes and conclusions of the Joint Committee meetings, together with an annual report on the results of the practical implementation of the multiannual sectoral support programme;
• submit to the European Parliament and the Council, during the final year of the Protocol’s validity and before the opening of negotiations on its renewal, an ex-post assessment report containing a cost-benefit analysis of the implementation of the Protocol.

Members stated that the European Parliament should remain vigilant regarding the quality of assistance to the Côte d'Ivoire's fisheries sector as regards employment, and called on the Commission to strengthen controls on the actual use of the funds provided and on illegal fishing. Parliament should also continue to be informed of meetings and events relating to the implementation of the agreement, and to have a table showing a breakdown of sectoral aid in order to keep track of activities in this field.