You're reading: Azarov: Ukraine planning to harmonize fishing certificates with EU

Ukraine wants to harmonize fishing certificates with the European Union, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said. 

“It’s important for us to harmonize with the EU those certificates that are issued for relevant Ukrainian agencies for fishing,” the premier said at a meeting with European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki in Kyiv on Thursday.

Azarov said the question is not only about export of Ukrainian products to the European market, the amount of which is small, it is also about fish products supplies by leased vessels flying Ukrainian flag.

“Solution to the issue is directly connected with the development of our fleet, ports and preservation of our sites,” Azarov said.

He added that Ukraine is interested in cooperation with the EU on a wide range of issues, particularly fishery regulation, preservation of fish stocks, strengthening of shorelines, cleaning the seas, infrastructure development, and the use and modernization of fleets.

“This is especially important to us today, when we are starting to develop the Black Sea shelf,” he said.