The committee on fisheries (PECH) of the European Parliament has approved the appointment of Costas Kadis as Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, with the positive opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Security (ENVI), after his hearing in Brussels.

CNA learns that Kadis got a positive vote from PECH MEPs from the European People's Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), liberal group Renew and the Greens. MEPs from the Left and the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) and Patriots for Europe (PfE) voted against. Votes tallied up to 20 in favour and 6 against, exceeding the two-thirds required.

The members of the committee on the environment (ENVI) were also reportedly in favour of the appointment, although the committee was not entitled to vote.

In a hearing that lasted more than three hours, Kadis underlined his experience both as a “European islander” and also as an academic and a former minister. As a researcher specialised in biodiversity perservation, he noted, he believes in using research as a tool for innovation and science as a basis for policy making.

Kadis outlined his plans for evaluating the state of the Common Fisheries Policy, addressing challenges to fishing communities across the EU, as well as promoting EU fisheries policies abroad, negotiations with third countries regarding fishing rights, as well his upcoming work on a European Ocean Pact which will coordinate all EU policies regarding the ocean, from maritime planning to security.

MEPs put a wide range of questions to the Cypriot candidate for Commissioner, including whether he will be reviewing the EU’s strategy for the Baltic Sea, but also the case of the Pentakomo waste processing plant which was the subject of stories in the European press.

He was also asked to comment on how the Commission will deal with challenges facing specific fishing communities, including for reducing bureaucracy that affects small fisheries.