National Assembly |22 July 2026

Minister Cosgrow updates Assembly on European Union fisheries agreement

 Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture & Blue Economy Wallace Cosgrow, yesterday answered a private notice question in the National Assembly on the Seychelles–European Union fisheries agreement and its progress.

The question, asked by leader of the opposition Hon. Bernard Georges, sought details on the contents of the agreement, its current stage, and the reasons for delays.

 Negotiations and signing

Minister Cosgrow explained that the latest round of negotiations on the protocol concluded on March 12 during an online session, following earlier talks in Brussels in January.

He said the EU’s internal procedures – which take no less than three months – had to be completed before signing. The protocol was initialled in Brussels on April 1 by Seychelles’ ambassador to the EU, Kenneth Racombo. “The initialling process confirms the conclusion of negotiations and that both parties accept the contents of the final negotiated document,” Minister Cosgrow said.

The protocol was then reviewed by the EU Council and underwent legal and linguistic checks by both the EU legal department and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Official documents were received on June 17, with the review completed on July 3. The EU Council adopted the protocol on July 7, paving the way for signature.

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