EC/Mauritania Fisheries Partnership Agreement: fishing opportunities and financial contribution for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012. Protocol

The Committee on Fisheries adopted a report drafted by Carmen FRAGA ESTEVEZ (EPP-ED, ES) and amended, in the framework of the consultation procedure, the Commission proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and Mauritania for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012.

The Committee inserted the following clauses:

- the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon will impose closer interinstitutional cooperation which, among other aspects, should lead to the European Parliament having better access to all information relating to fisheries agreements, including during the negotiations on protocols;

- a member of the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries shall attend the meetings and proceedings of the joint committee as an observer. Representatives of the fisheries sector fishing within the framework of the Agreement may also attend these meetings;

- the Commission shall forward the conclusions of the meetings of the joint committee to the European Parliament. During the final year of the Protocol's validity and before another agreement is concluded on its renewal, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on its application.

- in accordance with the Financial Regulation, and in the spirit of the European Parliament's resolution of 19 February 2008 on transparency in financial matters, the Commission shall publish annually on its website the list of individual end-beneficiaries of the EU financial contribution.