Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-17-Speech-3-335"
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"en.20031217.13.3-335"2
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". – Mr President, I would like to thank the honourable Member for this report on the extension for one year of the fisheries protocol to the agreement between the Community and Côte d'Ivoire. I am happy to note that you support the spirit of this proposal, since the Commission – for political and social reasons – has had to proceed with an extension instead of a renewal of the protocol.
Unfortunately, due to the difficult political situation in the autumn 2002 and spring 2003, it was not possible to proceed with negotiations. The protocol is important for the EU fishing industry, which fishes and uses the port of Abidjan to land their catches from the whole region and not only from Ivorian waters. This, in turn, is an advantage for Côte d'Ivoire. The protocol also supports scientific research, which is essential for ensuring the sustainability of the fisheries and for building up capacity to administer this in the country.
Because of the previous protocol, European businesses have made investments in Côte d'Ivoire. There are now three tuna canneries in the port of Abidjan which process tuna for the European market. They generate over 30 000 local jobs. The one-year extension of the protocol provides fishing possibilities for 71 tuna vessels and some demersal fishing as well. The targeted measures remain the same and represent 71% of the financial contribution out of an overall contribution that is also kept at the previous level – EUR 957 500.
Considering the good level of utilisation of the tuna fisheries on the one hand, and the ministry's use of targeted measures to ensure sustainable fisheries, the Commission considers the extension to be good value for money. This is true for both sides.
Obviously, one cannot be fully satisfied with the fact that this extension, which has been in operation since 1 July 2003, was only presented to this Parliament on 23 September. One reason for this delay was that the letter of extension was signed by Ivorian Fisheries Minister only on 16 May 2003. However, I would add, in all honesty and fairness, that these delays are never the result of one of the partners alone. I express my regret for the delay. If I were a Member of this House I would look at this with some scepticism.
However, I am happy to know that on 24 November you received an evaluation report on the implementation of the protocol, which answers some of your requests for future negotiations on the renewal of the protocol. The report submitted is a study assessing the fish stocks and the application of the protocol up to August 2003.
Concerning Amendments Nos 1 and 2, the Commission fully shares the concern to keep Parliament informed on various aspects of the implementation of the protocol. However, the Commission already forwards this kind of information, in line with the current interinstitutional arrangements and, in particular, with the framework agreement between the Commission and Parliament of 5 July 2000. Therefore, the Commission considers that these two amendments are not necessary.
Concerning Amendment No 3, the agreement, according to Article 13 thereof, shall be renewable for additional periods of 3 years, unless notice of termination is given in writing by either of the parties. However, the protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution is only valid for three years and will have to be renewed after that period. If the amendment refers to the renewal of the protocol and not of the agreement as such, the amendment goes against the principles regarding the nature of the protocols to the fisheries agreements. Since the protocols are annexed to the framework agreements, their periodical renewal does not require any new directive for negotiations.
Concerning Amendment No 4, considering the importance of the fisheries agreement for Côte d'Ivoire – in terms of the 30 000 jobs generated by EU canneries in Abidjan, and the fact that the financial contribution goes mainly to scientific research, control and surveillance – not extending the agreement would be a disaster for the country. It would also be a serious problem for EU fishermen and the investments made in Côte d'Ivoire. Failing to extend the agreement would mean isolating Côte d'Ivoire. This is not the sign the EU wants to give to a country which is struggling to find a way back to peace."@en1
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