EC/Seychelles fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011

2005/0173(CNS)

 The committee adopted the report by its chairman, Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR), approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a few amendments: 

- before concluding any agreement on the renewal of the Protocol, the Commission should submit a report to Parliament and Council on the application of the agreement, including a cost-benefit analysis. Only after the report had been received and Parliament had given its opinion thereon should the Council authorise the Commission to enter into negotiations for a possible new Protocol;

- the Commission should report annually to Parliament and Council on the results of the Seychelles' multiannual sectoral programme described in Article 7 of the Protocol;

- in view of the financial and social importance of targeted measures, the Commission should forward to Parliament and Council copies of the reports on such measures provided by the Seychelles authorities;

- MEPs said that the EC financial contribution should also be used for the development of coastal populations living on fisheries;

- finally, the committee pointed out that the proposal was submitted to Parliament 14 days after the period laid down for making the first payment.