Pursuing an active policy aimed at signing international fishing agreements of a commercial nature with the developing country: that’s the gist of a proposal presented by the Commission for fishing to the European Parliament, sitting in plenary session (Brussels, 8-9 October). These agreements, that permit EU fishing fleets to fish in the waters of third countries, will assume great economic significance for the regions surrounding the EU, by virtue of the direct and indirect employment they create. The Commission’s report asks that efforts be stepped up to increase the number of such international fishing agreements (there are 20 at the present time), and invites the Commission to prepare itself for the financial consequences deriving from the signing of the next agreements. The budgetary allocation for international fishing agreements in fact dropped from 278.5 million euros in 1996 to less than 200 million in 2003 and no increase is planned for 2004. In this context, the pre-existing accords should also evolve from purely commercial to partnership agreements, also aimed at protecting the interests of local industry, safeguarding resources and regulating such aspects as controls and inspections.
