The Council under Greek Presidency and the European Parliament reached a tentative agreement on the main outstanding issues concerning the proposal for a regulation on the European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF) replacing the existing European fisheries fund (8883/13), during the informal trilogue meeting which took place in Brussels on 28 January.

The regulation for the new fund is one of the three legislative proposals of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform package. The establishment of this financial instrument in conjunction with the completion of negotiations for a political agreement on the financial framework is a top priority of the Greek presidency in the field of fisheries and aquaculture.

Commenting on the tentative agreement in the trialogue, Greek Minister for Rural Development and Food, Professor Athanasios Tsaftaris, who chairs the Agriculture and Fisheries EU Council, stated the following:

“The tentative agreement reached yesterday is a major success for both the new EU fisheries policy and the Greek presidency. It sets the ground for the timely adoption of the EMFF regulation, which is a prerequisite for the smooth funding of policies and measures under the reformed common fisheries policy and the planning of fisheries operational programmes for the 2014-2020 period.

The adoption of the EMFF regulation has been identified as a key priority of the Greek presidency, which will make every effort to see it through with the adoption of the regulation by the Council as soon as possible.

I would like to express my appreciation to the European Parliament, the Commission and Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, for their efforts and constructive spirit of cooperation in reaching this important agreement for the benefit of fisheries and aquaculture in Europe.

The CFP reform can contribute significantly to improving the fisheries management thus ensuring the protection of the territorial waters of the EU for future generations. At the same time, it can support the rational development of the sector in the Union, the creation of new employment opportunities in the coastal areas while guaranteeing the quality of the seafood and the sustainability of the marine eco-system.”

Read the Council’s Press Release:

- The EU institutions provisionally agree on the financing of the fisheries reform [PDF]