Dear Minister Planas, honourable chairperson Mr Kristo, distinguished delegates,  

Although I cant be with you in person, it is a pleasure to address you today at the 48th annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the regional fisheries management organization that plays a critical role for the conservation of fisheries and the development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black seas.

I would first like to thank the Spanish government for hosting this meeting in the beautiful city of Malaga, one of the worlds oldest inhabited cities. I would also like to warmly welcome our Ukrainian friends. Congratulations on your GFCM membership. We look forward to working with you even more closely in the future!

Ladies and gentlemen, Malagas past, present and future are deeply steeped in its relationship with the Mediterranean – from its port to the many fishing vessels that call it home. And it is the perfect setting for this years GFCM meeting, as we mark the beginning of renewed regional cooperation.

This is a topic that is very important to the European Union. This year, we presented the European Ocean Pact, aiming to boost the sustainable blue economy and good governance of our ocean through a coherent approach across all policy areas linked to the ocean.

As part of making the Pact a reality, the European Commission plans to adopt an Ocean Act in 2026. This will be a major step forward in how we govern our ocean, offering a comprehensive framework for managing and protecting our marine and coastal areas. The Commission will also be developing a long-term vision for fisheries and aquaculture, based on the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy.

But our commitment to the Mediterranean goes even further. The new Pact for the Mediterranean seeks to bolster cooperation and economic ties throughout the region. It aims to build a common Mediterranean space – one that is connected, prosperous, resilient and secure.

Furthermore, the EUs new strategy for the Black Sea region highlights our dedication to sustainable growth and prosperity, environmental protection and climate resilience.

They will be further enhanced by the Commissions forthcoming Strategy on islands and coastal communities.

Colleagues,

In the GFCM, we have always worked together to ensure long-term resilience of both our stocks and our coastal communities. Together, we have set fisheries management on a clear path towards sustainability. We have successfully established 11 multiannual management plans (MAPs), 11 fisheries restricted areas (FRAs) and a robust scientific foundation for decision making.

However, we must now focus on enhancing compliance and strengthening the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. It is time for the GFCM to evolve into a modern Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, ensuring that every country delivers on commitments transparently and applies proper monitoring of all fishing activities. We owe this to the fishers who make an honest living and play by the rules, mindful of the importance of conserving marine environment.

A strong culture of compliance is essential for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, including full conformity with the management framework and zero tolerance on IUU fishing, which are essential to our commercial activities and trade relations.

This is the right path for our cooperation in the GFCM, supported by scientific data which shows improvements. And I look forward to the 2025 edition of the GFCM state of the stocks report, as it will be key to addressing future challenges.

We must continue demonstrating political will to fully implement our commitments as we prepare for new Ministerial declarations. The EU remains fully committed to this process. In this context, I would like to invite you to join me next year in a Ministerial conference to assess our progress and set future objectives, laying the groundwork for the next MedFish4Ever initiative and a new declaration. A similar conference will be held in 2027 for the Black Sea.

In conclusion, I invite you to support the EU goal to strengthen the GFCM compliance framework and give the Compliance Committee the necessary tools to function effectively.  

I appreciate our constructive collaboration in sharing responsibility and fostering a culture of compliance and a level playing field for all operators.

I wish you all a productive session.