EU Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg has started two-days of talks in Senegal aimed at finalising a new fisheries agreement between the EU and the West African country.

Senegal exports 60 per cent of its fish catches to the EU.

A spokesman for Dr Borg said that the close relationship between the two parties is set to continue as both the EU and Senegal have expressed their desire to enter into a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA). This will focus on political dialogue, support sustainable fisheries, based on scientific advice, and also buttress a structural policy aimed at the development of the national fishing industry.

Dr Borg is expected to meet the President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, and the Minister for the Maritime Economy, Djibo Leyti Ka.

Also on the table of discussion is the growing role of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), which Senegal currently presides.

The EU is contributing €10 million through two major projects to support the SRFC in control and surveillance and in fisheries management.

The two parties will also discuss their cooperation in regional fisheries organisations of relevance to them, with a view to promoting sustainable fisheries in the region, an objective to which both the EU and Senegal are committed.

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