92003E0140

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0140/03

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: EU-Greenland international fisheries agreement and development cooperation

In the context of the current EU-Greenland international fisheries agreement, can the Commission indicate:

1. how much the EU has earmarked for the development of the fisheries sector in Greenland?

2. how much the EU pays by way of a financial contribution in exchange for fishing rights for the Community fleet?

3. how much Community shipowners have to pay in fees for fishing licences and fishing rights?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2003)

1. The fisheries relations between the Community and Greenland are governed by a Fisheries Agreement(1) that entered into force on 1 February 1985, at the same time as the entry into force of the Treaty of withdrawal, or Greenland Treaty(3). Drawing upon the principles of the Greenland Treaty, which emphasises co-operation and development, the Fisheries Agreement is not confined to fisheries matters but that is also intended to support the development of Greenland.

Article 11 of the current Protocol to the fisheries agreement between the Community and Greenland(2) fixes the level of financial compensation at EUR 42 820 000 per year. The Protocol does not make a clear distinction between the amount due for obtaining catch quotas in Greenland waters and the amount intended to cover co-operation and development.

2. It is the Community's view that for the sake of transparency, the financial compensation should in the future be split into a fisheries component and a cooperation and development component. Negotiations will continue in 2003 under the review process aiming at achieving this financial transparency.

3. There are no licence fees for vessels fishing under the Protocol to the fisheries agreement with Greenland.

(1) OJ L 29, 1.2.1985.

(2) OJ L 209, 2.8.2001.

(3) OJ L 29, 1.2.1985.