EC/Kiribati Fisheries Partnership Agreement (2023-2028). Implementation Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Kiribati, of the other part (2023-2028).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Kiribati, of the other part (2023-2028) has been signed. The Protocol should now be approved.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, on the one hand, and the Republic of Kiribati, on the other (2023-2028).

The objective of the Protocol is to implement the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, on the one hand, and the Republic of Kiribati, on the other so as to grant fishing opportunities to Union vessels in the fishing areas within Kiribati waters and to enable the Union and Kiribati to work more closely on promoting cooperation in the field of sustainable development of the oceans, in fishery policy and the blue economy, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities for Union vessels in the fishing areas within Kiribati waters, on the basis of the best available scientific advice and following the conservation and management measures adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

The Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the Protocol. To facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be empowered, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

The Union’s position on amendments that are proposed to the Protocol should be established by the Council. The proposed amendments should be approved unless a blocking minority objects to them.

This Decision should enter into force as soon as possible in view of the economic importance of Union fishing activities in Kiribati waters and the need to reduce as much as possible the time period before such activities can resume.