Brussels, 19/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 18 December, European fisheries ministers reached a political agreement at unanimity (the Netherlands abstained) on the multiannual plan for restoring cod stocks, particularly in the North Sea. The Council decided to separate the proposal into two different texts: one in the form of the basis of Article 43(2) of the treaty framing co-decision and the other defining based on Article 43(3), the conditions for adopting measures by the Council alone. The text relating to Article 43(3) is expected to help introduce greater flexibility when deciding fishing opportunities for member states (if the normal rule on catches cannot be applied), by taking into account scientific recommendations (in a case-by-case approach). In certain conditions, fishing levels may also be frozen. The ball is now in the court of the European Parliament, which has already protested against the Council's decision. The Council and the Parliament are still arguing about their respective remit: according to the Lisbon Treaty, fishing is governed by co-decision, with the exception of setting out fishing possibilities, which is the exclusive remit of the Council. (LC/transl.fl)