Good evening,

We had very good discussions this morning with Fisheries Ministers, touching on a number of very important files, including over lunch, and I would like to thank Jacob and the entire team from the Danish Presidency for organising and steering this meeting in such an efficient way.

On the upcoming negotiations with our partners, we are seeking comprehensive and timely agreements to provide stability for our fisheries sector, but also to protect vulnerable stock.

The exchange showed that negotiations will be very challenging as several key stocks are depleted, while the socio-economic stability of our sector depends on healthy fish stocks.

I reassured Ministers that the Commission will stand firm in defending EU interests and ensure sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

Regarding the UK, Member States appreciate that the May agreement securing continued reciprocal access to waters until 30 June 2038 was an incredibly important achievement. But concern was raised as well since several stocks, especially in the Celtic Sea  are in a critical state, with a negative trend observed the past few years. We need to act decisively to reverse these trends.

As regards Norway, this is obviously one of our closest allies and partners, but as regards fisheries, relations remain challenging. We are in continuous bilateral engagement with Norway, both at technical and political level, to address several open issues and will engage in the upcoming negotiations with a strong and united EU position to reach a fair and balanced deal. Following unilateral cut in access for Atlanto-Scandian herring last year, it will be particularly important to restore traditional access levels for our fishers.

On the consultations with coastal States, for mackerel we are facing significant challenges caused by the deteriorated state of the stock, which was exacerbated by overfishing practices from some of our partners. The Commission will aim to reach an agreement to address excessive fishing for the pelagic stocks in the Northeast Atlantic while safeguarding the EU interests.

In this context, let me also welcome that the Council today formally adopted the so-called “Unsustainable Fishing Regulation”. With this revised Regulation, which we negotiated earlier this year with the European Parliament and Member States, we now have a stronger tool to incentivise cooperation towards sustainable and responsible behaviours and address unsustainable fishing practices by third countries. This is a crucial step forward to ensure a level playing field for our fleets.

Todays Council also gave me the opportunity to explain in more detail the implications of the new MFF for fisheries and ocean governance. This was our first formal exchange after the Commission presented its package in July. While there was broad agreement on the need to ensure greater integration, flexibility, and effectiveness and reduce bureaucracy I took good note of a number of concerns and questions raised by Member States.

I would like to thank Ministers for their openness and for the frank discussions, which allowed me to provide clear answers and clarifications, which hopefully could eliminate existing misunderstandings before negotiations will start.

Let me underline a couple of points I made:

  • Fisheries and ocean-related policies are very well catered for and reflected in the three main Funds under the new MFF: the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security that will finance the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRP Plans).; the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe; and the Global Europe Instrument.
  • The Fund financing the NRP Plans includes a minimum amount of €2 billion to be allocated to some areas of our policies. But this is just a minimum amount. Member States can top it up to support additional needs. In fact, the support available under the next MFF has the potential to go beyond the 2021-2027 EMFAF budget. It will be for Member States to make strategic choices in this regard.
  • A new instrument: the EU Facility will help the implementation of the NRP Plans. The Commission can use it swiftly to support the implementation of the Plans, including as regards fisheries control, data collection or to respond to crises and unexpected events.
  • The specificities of each policy are addressed through separate auxiliary legislative proposals, including one that covers fisheries and ocean policy and outlines the conditions for implementing the Union support to the CFP, the European Ocean Pact and maritime and aquaculture policy. I will lead the negotiations with the European Parliament and Council on this proposal and look forward to constructive and fruitful discussions. 

Thank you