Few political decisions beside the usual TAC and quota haggling are foreseen in the work programme of the Luxembourg EU Presidency for the second half of 2015.
Today Luxembourg took over the EU Presidency from Latvia, and is to pass on the torch to Netherlands on 1 January next year.
Fisheries specific priorities
“The principle of sustainability will also guide the actions of the Luxembourg Presidency in the fisheries policy. It will take steps to bolster the new sustainability-based approach ensuring that, where possible, the principle of maximum sustainable yield lies at the heart of any decisions relating to fishing opportunities (TAC and quotas) for 2016. An in-depth discussion on scientific data relating to the state of fish stocks should enable reasoned, transparent decisions to be taken. “
From a Baltic Sea perspective we are pleased to see that the Luxembourg presidency has included the negotiations on the Baltic multiannual plan as one of their priorities. It gives an indication that they are willing to continue negotiations. Thus it is our hope that negotiations are to be “re-opened” sooner than later in order for the Baltic multi-annual plan to be implemented.
“The Luxembourg Presidency will also seek to reach an agreement on the issue of deep-sea fishing, guaranteeing the sustainable exploitation of these fish stocks. Furthermore, the principles of simplification and balance of institutional competencies must be implemented in the negotiations on the multi-annual management plans for the Baltic Sea, as well as in the decisions aligning the acquis with the Treaty of Lisbon, in particular in relation to illegal and unregulated fishing and the regeneration of European eel stocks.”
About the Presidency
The presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) rotates among the EU Member States every six months with the country holding the presidency driving the Council’s work forward. The EU Council is an essential decision maker which together with the European Parliament (EP) adopts legislation and coordinates EU policies.