On Sunday evening, two thirds of the Members of the Greek Parliament voted in favour of the new loan agreement between the Greek Government and the representatives of the country’s creditors, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. They validated the hard work that Greece has to undertake in order to fulfil its obligations towards its partners and to maintain its membership in the euro-zone. They said a clear “yes” to a process of tremendous sacrifices to be made by the Greek people so that the country can still have a European future. It was not easy. It was not easy for anybody.
The result of the vote was the product of a long-term process, which involved major socially painful challenges. For the first time, the two major parties – the conservatives and the social-democrats – both acknowledged the critical condition of the country and acted in a pragmatic way with regard to Greece’s obligations, stemming from its participation in the European Union and in the euro-zone.
The European decision-makers and broadly the European public opinion should not underestimate this development. Read the full entry
The initiative of making London the first Sustainable Fish City in the world is gaining momentum, also thanks to the Sustainable Fish Forum that took place in London on 24 January.
It was inspiring to see how these people value the future of our oceans and how effective is their action! It shows that restaurateurs, caterers and retailers are ready to engage and to invest in sustainability. Read the full entry
Yesterday, I watched with empathy, in the second episode of Al Jazeera programme “Pirate Fishing“, the adventures of the fisheries ministry inspector Victor Kargbo and the reporter Juliana Ruhfus, chasing the Sea Queen/Ocean-3, caught fishing illegally in Sierra Leonean waters. And I was thrilled when they succeeded!
The Commission unanimously adopted a proposal for a negotiation mandate for a new Fisheries Partnership Agreement protocol with Morocco on 5 January.
The new proposal aims to meet the key requirements of environmental sustainability, economic efficiency and international legality. Read the full entry
Coming back from the Christmas break, I retain the feeling of fatigue of my fellow Greek citizens. European institutions are perceived as a distant entity expecting from Greece to do ever more and pointing at the country as not doing enough. But once in Brussels I realized that the same sense of fatigue exists among European citizens. Greece is perceived as the student, given so much but improving so little, so late.
We have to overcome this fatigue. There is no time now. Time is money in our case. Read the full entry
The small-scale fisheries fleet in Fournoi, in the Nineties
When, not a long time ago, I met representatives of small-scale fishermen, the president of Glaros (seagull, in Greek), the association of small-scale fishermen form the island of Fournoi, handed me a picture of what once was a significant small-scale fleet based on the island. The fleet was then scrapped –he affirms– following the adoption of the latest reform of the EU common fisheries policy, in the Nineties.
I believe that small-scale fishermen greatly contribute to the economic progress and the preservation of distinctive social and cultural characteristics of European coastal communities. Read the full entry
Potential bluefin tuna spawning habitat in the Mediterranean Sea
Even if allegations have to be investigated and data verified, we must admit that much remains to be done to achieve sustainability and management and control measures for the protection of tuna and tuna-like species are not as effective as they should be.
As the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) holds its annual meeting in Istanbul, the European Union is tabling ambitious proposals for the conservation of Mediterranean swordfish, and tropical tunas and sharks, in line with science recommendations, and promoting mitigation measures against incidental catches of seabirds.
This short but comprehensive documentary outlines well the urgency of concrete actions to counter the depletion of fish stocks and the severe consequences that any delay could trigger, be that in South America, in the North Sea or in the Baltic. Cod overfishing in Canadian waters, leading to the overmultiplication of sea urchins and the resulting damages for the whole ecosystem is just an example and the fact that this happened far away must not trick us. Seventy-five percent of our stocks are overfished and if we don’t act now, only 8 out of 136 EU stocks will still be healthy by 2022.
Greece did not become a member of the European Union yesterday, but it was not so long ago either, so I have not forgotten the challenges that a young member has to face and the obstacles on the path of integration.
I believe I can understand of the peoples of the countries that most recently joined the EU. And I am committed to make them feel “part of the family”.
The European Parliament and civil society in Romania and Bulgaria voice their wish for a stronger and deeper cooperation for the Black Sea. And -within my competences- I aspire to make concrete our commitment to meet the expectations. I had already very good discussions with Bulgarian and Romanian authorities. They have done a lot. So, I was happy to invite them to Brussels.
The speech of President Barroso on the State of the Union before the European Parliament this morning came at a critical point in time. The European, but also the world economy, is slowing down. The crisis is quickly evolving into a social crisis, which is not only threatening our economy, but also the societal structure and, ultimately, the values upon which the European Union was built.
The President’s speech was a Commission’s concrete step forward after a long period of reflection.
If you ask me “what’s the message”, here are some answers: Read the full entry
