The Russian Federation and the European Commission on Tuesday signed an agreement to strengthen management of Baltic Sea fisheries.
Andrey Krayniy, head of Russia's Federal Agency for Fisheries, and EC Marine Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg, signed the agreement during a press conference in the Russian Pavilion at the European Seafood Exposition. This is the first year Russia has had a pavilion at the three-day event.
Also participating in the signing was Milena Vicenova, ambassador of the Czech republic to the European Union.
In 2008, Russia and the EC signed a memorandum of understanding on a management scheme for Baltic Sea fisheries. "But this agreement gives formal effect to that," said Borg in an interview.
During the 20-minute press conference, both Krayniy and Borg expressed satisfaction that Russia and the EC were able to come to terms on an agreement."I am confident that this agreement was signed in the best interest of both parties," said Krayniy.
"I am certain that this agreement will further facilitate [Russia and EC relations]."
Added Borg, "It is my personal hope that this agreement will lead to further cooperation with the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea."
In addition to Russia, the Baltic Sea is bordered by EU members Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden. Herring, cod, plaice, Atlantic salmon and sprat are among the Baltic Sea's largest fisheries.
The 377,000-square-kilometer Baltic Sea herring quota totaled more than 320,000 metric tons in 2008, while the cod quota totaled more than 57,000 metric tons.
April 28, 2009
