The EU’s fisheries ministers adopted, on 23 January, a decision authorising the European Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the EU for the conclusion of a fisheries partnership agreement with the Republic of Mauritius. The new agreement will be concluded in line with the Council’s guidelines of 15 July 2004 on fisheries partnership agreements. In practice, the new protocol will define conditions for EU vessels’ access to the waters of Mauritius (fishing opportunities or quotas and financial compensation paid by the EU) and the legal framework for implementation of support for development of the local fisheries sector.