Brussels, 24/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 March, the European Commission adopted proposals on the conclusion of a new fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Cook Islands (see EUROPE 11417).
The European Commission conducted negotiations with the government of the Cook Islands and a new agreement and protocol were initialled on 21 October 2015. They cover a period of eight years and four years respectively from the date of their provisional application.
The protocol allows fishing opportunities for four tuna seiners (three Spanish boats and one French). The annual financial contribution is €735,000 for the first and the second year, and €700,000 for the third and fourth year, on the basis of: a reference tonnage of 7,000 tonnes, for which an amount linked to access has been set at €385,000 for the first and the second year, and € 350,000 for the third and fourth year; and support for development of the sectoral fisheries policy of the Cook Islands, amounting to €350,000 for the first, second, third and fourth years. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)