09/10/23 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 9 October, the Council of the European Union mandated the European Commission to conclude, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Iceland on closer cooperation in fisheries and maritime affairs. This instrument would be non-binding (see EUROPE 13264/17). These areas of cooperation could include, for example, research and science, cooperation in international fora (e.g. the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission), a sustainable ‘blue economy’, Arctic issues, marine biodiversity, maritime security and the energy transition in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. (LC)