Recommendation authorising the European Commission to open negotiations for the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Mozambique

The European Union and the Republic of Mozambique signed a protocol to the Fisheries Agreement, applicable from 1 February 2012. The protocol, which grants fishing opportunities for the EU vessels and fixes the financial counterpart, was due to expire on 31 January 2015.

The Commission proposed to negotiate a new protocol that meets the actual possibilities and needs of the Member States fleet and is in line with the 19 March 2012 Council Conclusions on a Communication from the Commission on the External dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Council was asked to adopt the negotiation guidelines attached to this recommendation.