MEPs on the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries regretted the lack of progress in the EU-UK fisheries negotiations, in a closed meeting on Monday 18 May (see EUROPE 12478/18).
The European Parliament Committee on Fisheries is due to adopt its opinion drafted by François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP, France) on 25 May, on recommendations for negotiations on a new fisheries partnership with the UK.
"We are meant to" have a fisheries agreement "in place by 1 July, but many are concerned that not enough progress has been made, to safeguard jobs and the shared oceans", said Grace O'Sullivan (Greens/EFA, Ireland) about reactions in the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries.
"We have also finally been able to initiate the beginnings of a dialogue on fisheries, even if our positions remain very far apart", Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator had highlighted, on Friday 15 May after the third round of discussions with the United Kingdom (see EUROPE 12488/11).
"Why would we seek to give favourable market access conditions to certain British professionals" when our European fishermen would be "excluded from British waters and risk losing their livelihoods?", he wondered.
The two sides will meet again on 1 June for further negotiations on the future partnership. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)