| Discussions on new fishing accord with EU begin today | ||||
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A delegation from the European Commission arrived in Praia yesterday to begin discussions for a new fishing accord with Cape Verde. The current accord, dating from 1991, has brought 680,000 euros per year to Cape Verde',s state treasury in exchange for fishing licenses for European vessels. In addition, Cape Verde has received financing from the European Union for a number of infrastructures and training courses. The head of the Cape Verdean delegation entering into the discussions is Jose Eduardo Barbosa, the general secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities.
The three day meeting beginning today in the installations of the Ministry of the Environment, Agriculture and Fishing is, according to an official source, just the first round in a series of negotiations. Three rounds of talks were needed to close the accord currently in effect. According to the source, both parts already agree that the new accord should contemplate private business cooperation. The framework within which this cooperation will occur has yet to be detailed. The negotiations for the new accord take place at the same time as Cape Verde',s Fishing Management Plan, which imposes regulations on the activities of foreign vessels in Cape Verde',s Exclusive Economic Zone. |