Minister of Rural Development and Food, Athanasios Tsaftaris presented the priorities of the Greek Presidency for Fisheries before the PECH Committee of the European Parliament.

At the meeting of the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament (COM PECH) on 22 January 2014, Minister of Rural Development and Food, Athanasios Tsaftaris presented the programme of the Greek Presidency of the Council, which includes the following :

1. Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and EMFF
The minister pointed out that the last three years the institutions worked hard to ensure the long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability of the fisheries sector. He congratulated the European Parliament for its excellent cooperation and contribution to the achievement of the completion on the new Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Market Organisation. He expressed his belief that the same political will could achieve similar results for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which is the main priority of the Greek Presidency, recalling that this Fund is one of the main tools for a smooth transition and for the achievement of the objectives of the new Common Fisheries Policy.
He requested the restart of negotiations, aimed at reaching a political agreement in order to ensure the entry into force of the Fund, as soon as possible and in any case before the European Parliament takes recess in mid-April. He expressed his confidence that European Parliament shares these objectives and will make efforts to this direction.

2. Long-Term Management Plans / Task Force
The minister referred to the main importance of the multiannual management plans to implement the discard ban and regionalisation to fisheries management, according the new Common Fisheries Policy. Despite the inter-institutional friction and political disagreement, stressed out the necessity of finding a solution and praised the work of the inter-institutional group (task force). The work progress of the task force confirmed the good will of the European Parliament and the Council. He presented as a priority for the Greek Presidency the continuation of the task force until March 2014 and expressed his hope for further results in more complex types of multiannual projects, which include mixed fisheries.

3. Discard Ban
The minister noted that priority for the Greek Presidency is the work on the implementation of the discard ban, agreed under the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. He informed that the Council just received the proposal from the Commission and already started its examination of the proposal on the necessary amendments to the existing legislation of control measures and technical measures. He expressed the Presidency's intention to proceed as soon as possible with the work on this file.

4. Deep-Sea Fisheries
The minister said that the Council intends to start working on the regulation amendment, on this controversial dossier, on which the European Parliament recently developed its position. He underlined that discussions will begin early this week, already taking into account the constructive work of the European Parliament.

5. External Fisheries Policy
The Greek Presidency includes the external fisheries policy, the continuation of consultations with Norway and Coastal States for mackerel and herring (Atlanto-Scandian herring) and whiting. The minister said that soon will start the negotiations on a new protocol with Mauritania and for a new fisheries partnership agreement with Senegal. Discussions will start in late January and expected to be completed within the next few months. The Presidency intends to inform the European Parliament.

Addressing the MEPs called them in active, continuous and close cooperation, to reach the common goals and to find joint solutions to important and sensitive issues. MEPs encouraged the Greek Presidency of the Council and the Minister in their work and the continuation, despite the coincidence of the elections.