Cyprus Presidency outlines fisheries priorities to European Parliament committees as MEPs reject proposed budget cuts for fisheries
Cyprus Ministers Begin Parliamentary Committee Briefings
Cyprus has begun a series of debriefings to European Parliament committees as ministers set out the priorities of its presidency of the Council, which runs until the end of June 2026.
The hearings are intended to give MEPs early visibility of legislative and budgetary objectives, and the programme is expected to be updated as further committees are addressed.
Fisheries has emerged quickly as a politically sensitive area, with concerns already being raised in Parliament about funding, regulatory burden, and the future direction of the common fisheries policy.
Focus on Common Fisheries Policy and EU Budget
Addressing the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee on 27 January, Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, said the Cyprus Presidency would work on strengthening the common fisheries policy and ensuring that the needs of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors are properly reflected in the European Union’s next long-term budget.
According to the presidency, fisheries will be treated not as a peripheral issue but as one linked directly to food security, coastal employment, and external relations. Panayiotou also said the presidency aims to conclude negotiations on incorporating rules of regional fisheries management organisations into EU law.
In parallel, Cyprus intends to advance discussions on sustainable fisheries partnership agreements with Mauritania and Morocco, both of which remain strategically important for sections of the European fishing sector operating outside EU waters.
MEPs Push Back on Budget Cuts
MEPs used the session to voice strong opposition to the direction of travel on fisheries funding. Members of the Fisheries Committee unanimously described the proposed reduction in fisheries funding under the next long-term EU budget as “unacceptable”, warning that it risks undermining both sustainability goals and the economic viability of the fishing sector.
Parliamentarians also called for simplification of fisheries legislation, arguing that regulatory complexity continues to weigh heavily on operators. Modernisation of the EU fishing fleet was raised repeatedly, particularly in the context of safety, efficiency, and emissions reduction.
Decarbonisation, Fair Competition and Flags of Convenience
MEPs pressed the presidency on how it intends to approach decarbonisation, urging a pragmatic rather than prescriptive pathway that reflects operational realities at sea. Questions were also raised about ensuring equal opportunities between EU fleets and third-country operators, especially where access agreements and regulatory standards diverge.
The use of flags of convenience featured in the discussion, with MEPs seeking clarity on how the presidency will address perceived loopholes that can distort competition and weaken enforcement.
Conclusion and Political Signals
The Fisheries Committee exchange underlines that Cyprus’s presidency will face early resistance if budget reductions and policy tightening are seen to outpace practical support for the fishing sector. While ministers have emphasised balance and continuity, Parliament has signalled it will push hard on funding, fleet renewal, and regulatory reform.
As negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget gather pace, fisheries is shaping up as a test case for whether political commitments to sustainability will be matched by financial and regulatory realism.