Brussels, 18/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Progress was made at the second round of negotiations between the EU and Senegal, which was held in Brussels from 10 to 12 March, with a view to the conclusion of a partnership agreement in the field of sustainable fishing (see EUROPE 11009).
The talks were held “in an excellent spirit of cooperation” and allowed progress to be made on “many elements of the future agreement”, particularly the likely duration of the fishing agreement, the implementation of sectoral support (assistance to the local fishing sector), the monitoring of catches and scientific cooperation.
The Senegalese delegation was headed up by Minister for Fishing and Maritime Affairs Haidar El Ali, “thus demonstrating the interest of the Senegalese authorities in renewing relations in the fishing sector with the European Union, notably with a view to close collaboration in the fight against illegal, unregulated and undeclared fishing”, the Commission explains in a press release.
The two sides also discussed ways of optimising possible synergies between the fishing agreement and its protocol on the one hand, and the cooperation instruments to fund actions in this area on the other. The third round of negotiations will be held in Dakar in the month of April. (LC)