Gui Menezes highlights greater autonomy for Outermost Regions in the fisheries sector under the next Community Support Framework
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that the European Commission's proposal under discussion for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund represents “the recognition of the importance of Outermost Regions.”
For the first time, Gui Menezes pointed out that the Member State will allocate to these regions "a minimum amount of the aid granted to the country."
"This means that, in fact, there is greater autonomy in the financial envelope for the Azores and Madeira," the government official said, adding that it will bring "more flexibility" in the use of EU funds.
The Regional Secretary spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with MEP Isabel Carvalhais, an alternate member of the Committee on Fisheries.
According to Gui Menezes, “it is essential” for the Azores to “maintain certain levels of funding” in the areas of Sea and Fisheries under the next Community Support Framework, adding, however, that “some changes” must be made.
"The Regional Government has already had the opportunity to convey that the proposals for financial envelope are favourable for the Regional, not only for their amount but also for the way the European Commission proposes that it be organised by each Member State," said the government official.
It should be noted that, at the moment, the EMFF provides for an allocation of 102 million Euros to the Azores and Madeira in the period between 2021 and 2027.
“Overall, the Azores are satisfied with the European Commission's proposal,” said the government official. Nevertheless, he pointed out that “there are still issues that could be improved,” namely the support for large fish processing companies, which, "currently, face significant limitations" as well as the support for the development of aquaculture in Outermost Regions.
The increase in the amount of "de minimis" aid granted to the Outermost Regions and the fleet management entry and exit scheme, "whose criteria must be different" for these regions, were other topics addressed at the meeting.
Asked by journalists about the visit of MEP Isabel Carvalhais to the Azores, the Regional Secretary said “it is essential to have an in-depth knowledge of the reality and also to collect information, which we are exchanging; therefore, the interests of the Azores will be better defended in a crucial period, when a new multiannual financing framework is being negotiated."