A progress report from the Cyprus Presidency, published on 21 June 2026 ahead of the 22 June 2026 Council meeting, shows that Member State concerns over the Commission's 16 July 2025 proposal for implementing Union support to the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Ocean Pact and the Union's maritime and aquaculture policy for 2028-2034 have been largely addressed through six compromise texts. However, the report notes that further work is needed on support for fishing vessel investments, particularly for decarbonisation.
The proposal sets specific rules for admissibility of applications and eligibility of interventions, complementing the NRPP Regulation for 2028-2034. The Cyprus Presidency's compromises, discussed between September 2025 and June 2026, focused on several key areas: support for the Common Fisheries Policy and aquaculture funding; continued support for fisheries control and data collection (a legal obligation under Union law); clarifying WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement rules, which have been in force since 15 September 2025; clarifying inadmissibility and recovery rules; adjusting rules for certain operations to align with other policy fields and facilitate generational renewal; and including rules for investments in fishing vessels. Consistency with the proposed NRPP Regulation, for which the Council reached a partial general approach on 16 June 2026, was a priority.
The report indicates that the Permanent Representatives Committee discussed two further texts on 17 and 19 June 2026. The topic of Union support for investments in Union fishing vessels, especially for decarbonisation, requires further attention in light of other legal acts. The Presidency's compromises have addressed many Member State concerns, but further work is needed on this specific issue.