Brussels, 05/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU adopted, without debate, the legislative acts on fisheries agreements between the EU and three third countries on Monday 5 October.
Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of the protocol setting the fishing opportunities and the financial compensation provided for in the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde (see EUROPE 11385 on the approval of the texts by the European Parliament). It adopted a similar decision on the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Madagascar. In a statement, the European Commission indicated its regret that the Council had amended the initial legal basis for these two agreements, Article 43 paragraph 2 (Parliament-Council co-decision), replacing it with Article 43 (with no mention of the paragraph). The Commission stands by its proposal, arguing that the ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU in joined cases C-103/12 and C165/12 (see EUROPE 11249) confirmed that conclusion of external fisheries agreements lies fully within the scope of Article 43 paragraph 2 of the TFEU (the Court rejected the argument that such decisions could fall within the scope of Article 43, paragraph 3).
Council also adopted a decision on the conclusion of the protocol setting the fishing opportunities and the financial compensation provided for in the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. The Danish and Dutch voted against adoption and the Swedish delegation abstained. Denmark believes that, in view of the lack of up-to-date assessments of certain stocks in the waters of this country, including demersal fish and cephalopods, it is impossible to determine whether there are surplus fish resources in Guinea-Bissau waters that can be exploited by EU vessels.
The protocol was signed on 24 November 2014 and has applied provisionally from that date. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)