Brussels, 20/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - European fisheries ministers again failed, on 20 September in Brussels, to come to an agreement on the new fund for fisheries and the exploitation of fishing resources in the Mediterranean. The British presidency and the European Commission nonetheless made concessions on the most controversial elements of the proposal tabled (long transitional period before changing net mesh, safeguarding of some traditional fishing activities). It would seem, however, that, as in June this year, the political conditions were not met allowing for a compromise to be reached (see EUROPE 8974/5).
Italy and France, the countries most opposed to the measures proposed for managing resources in the Mediterranean, convinced other Member States (Greece, Portugal, Poland and Slovenia) that the issue should be put off indefinitely, while Spain seemed more inclined to conclude an agreement. Given that general elections are to be held in Italy in April 2006, it is highly likely that the issue will not be negotiated again before elections are held. On Tuesday in Brussels, France stressed the difficulties that face its fisheries (anchovy, surge in fuel prices).