Brussels, 16/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Contact between EU and Mauritanian representatives are continuing as part of discussions on the fisheries protocol between the two parties. This is the official information emerging from discussions on the dossier, on Wednesday 16 January, at the Committee of Permanent Representatives of member states of the EU (Coreper). This politically sensitive subject is on the Agriculture-Fisheries Council agenda on Monday 21 January. Member states will be informed about the progress of the informal discussions between the two sides.
On 13 December, the European Commission proposed that there should not be any automatic extension of the protocol to the fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania (it was concluded for an initial period of 2 years and expires at the end of July 2008) but proposed that it be denounced in an effort to begin new negotiations. The proposal says that the aim is to negotiate a new protocol offering fishing possibilities that are adapted to the needs of the member states' fleets; with the financial counterpart accordingly adapted. The Commission had observed an under-use of certain quotas and asked whether financial compensation paid by the EU was too high. According to the terms of the agreement, the EU has until January to notify Mauritania of any abandonment of the protocol. For six years starting on 1 August 2006, the agreement gave 200 EU boats the right to catch many different species in Mauritanian waters (EUROPE 9320). EU payments to Mauritania are worth €86 million a year. (L.C)