There is a need of extra boost and determination in the fisheries agreement negotiations between European Union and third countries, says Spanish Minister of Environment, Rosa Aguilar. She was also concerned about the situation of some of them, referring to them as “stuck”. On this note the minister asked for an extension on the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the EU and Gabon.
According to Aguilar these fisheries agreements are priorities for Spain and she remarked that they must guarantee the development of fisheries operations in long-term conditions and as per the rules set by both parties. She also said that Fisheries Agreements, which are a priority for Spain, have been suffering “a significant decline due to a lack of political will in its development, leaving an open door to fleets which are not respecting the principles against illegal fishing, undeclared and non-standardized”.
Spanish government is more concern about EU’s guarantee that coherence between the Common Fisheries Policy and the Commercial Policy must be ensure, blocking fish products coming from illegal or unsustainable fish practices to the UE market should be check. Aguilar expressed the need of having a Common Fisheries Policy whose external dimension “preserves the future of European fleets due to their operations have been a base for social and economic development in many countries”.
