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BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT (COM(2025)0370 – C100246/2025 – 2025/0202(NLE))

On the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2025–2029) on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community

BUDG-AD-778378

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Bogdan Rzońca

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The Committee on Budgets assesses the proposal for a Council decision on the Protocol (2025–2029) to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe, concluding that it can advise approval. It notes the financial contribution of EUR 3 300 000 over four years, split between access and sectoral support, and calls for scrutiny of budget implementation and future impact assessments.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgets advises the Committee on Fisheries to recommend approval of the proposal for the Council decision on the Protocol.

Key points

  1. The financial contribution for the Protocol's four-year period is EUR 3 300 000, with EUR 1 300 000 for access (EUR 325 000 per year) and EUR 2 000 000 for sectoral support (EUR 500 000 per year).
  2. The support should enable Union vessels to fish, promote sustainable fisheries, protect the marine environment, and contribute to decent working conditions, with thorough scrutiny during implementation.
  3. Recommends that future agreements include an impact assessment of the previous agreement's added value and socio-economic benefits to guide negotiations.
  4. Regrets that the budgetary decision on DEC 13/2025 is disconnected from and prior to Parliament's consent decision, risking a fait accompli.
  5. Calls on the Commission to explain the need for the Protocol's provisional application.
  6. Notes that 2025 budget amounts on line 08 05 01 are cumulative and not broken down by fisheries agreements, hindering parliamentary scrutiny.
  7. Stresses that financial programming for line 08 05 01 must be sufficient for 2026-2027 obligations and calls for scrutiny in the annual budgets.

Who is affected

  • Union fishing vessels operating in São Tomé and Príncipe's fishing zone.
  • São Tomé and Príncipe, as beneficiary of sectoral support and cooperation.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 3 300 000 total financial contribution for the Protocol's four-year period.
  • EUR 325 000 per year for access, equivalent to 6 500 tonnes per year, totalling EUR 1 300 000.
  • EUR 500 000 per year for sectoral support, totalling EUR 2 000 000.
  • EUR 825 000 in commitment and EUR 325 000 in payment appropriations in DEC 13/2025.
  • 2025 budget: EUR 90 590 000 in commitment and EUR 93 655 000 in payment appropriations on line 08 05 01.
  • 2025 budget: EUR 59 970 000 in commitment and EUR 41 620 000 in payment appropriations on reserve line 30 02 02.