PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: the first Protocol to the Agreement set out, for a period of three years, the fishing opportunities granted to Union vessels in the fishing zone under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Mauritius and the financial contribution granted by the Union. The period of application of that Protocol expired on 27 January 2017.
In accordance with a Council Decision, a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius was signed, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
The Protocol has been applied on a provisional basis since the date of its signature.
It is now necessary to approve the Protocol.
CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, the Council is called on to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius.
As a reminder, the main objective of the Protocol is to enhance cooperation between the Union and Mauritius to promote a sustainable fisheries policy and sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Mauritius waters and to support Mauritius in the development of its sustainable ocean economy.
Joint committee: the Agreement establishes a joint committee responsible for monitoring the application of the Agreement. Under the Protocol, the joint committee is able to approve certain amendments to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be empowered, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure.