Brussels, 20/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 December, the European Commission announced that it had approved several operational programmes in the area of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), the role of which is to grant the various forms of aid (modernisation of the fleet, development of coastal areas, etc) to member states over the period from 2007-2013.
Denmark. The total eligible public expenditure of the Danish operational programme is €267.3 million over the 2007-2013 period, with €133.6 million of that amount coming from the European Fisheries Fund. Denmark's main priorities are aquaculture, which will receive €47 million in Community funding between 2007-2013, and measures of common interest (collective actions, fishing ports, development of new markets, etc), which will receive €46 million.
Lithuania. Total eligible public expenditure is €71.2 million (2007-2013), with €54.7 million coming from the EFF. 41% of the EFF funds will go to aquaculture.
Latvia. The total amount authorised is €166.7 million (with €125 million from the EFF). Latvia has prioritised aquaculture (€46.1 million from the EFF) and development of fisheries areas (enhancing the competitiveness of zones, diversification of economic activities, improving the value of products, environmental protection), with €28.9 million.
Slovakia. Total eligible public expenditure (2007-2013) amounts to €18.9 million (€13.6 million of which will come from the EFF) and the priority will be aquaculture. Slovakia does not have a fishing fleet. (L.C.)