18/01/2019 (Agence Europe) – The EU institutions will have their first negotiating meeting on 4 February with the goal of reaching a political agreement on the multiannual plan for the management of demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12174). On Friday 18 January, EU ambassadors adopted the negotiating mandate to be given to the Romanian Presidency of the Council for these negotiations with the European Parliament (trilogue). The objective is to reach a political agreement in the coming months on this sensitive issue. MEPs approved notably, in this management plan, a ban on the use of trawls below the 100 metre (m) isobath between 1 July and 30 September each year. Coreper has also adopted a mandate to negotiate with Parliament on the proposal for a programme for the recovery of the swordfish stock in the Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12143). (LC)