18/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - During the Agriculture-Fisheries Council on 18 July, the EU Member States were briefed by Joe Borg, European Fisheries Commissioner, on the state of progress of talks for the conclusion of a new fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania. The current agreement is due to expire at the end of July and the Commission is relatively optimistic about the chances of a successful conclusion to the discussions. Spain told the press that certain technical aspects of the agreement could even be concluded this week and said negotiations are unfolding “fairly well”. The bilateral agreement, which benefits Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French fishing vessels, is the most important agreement currently in force. It represents a commercial value of €108 million annually.