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European Maritime Commissioner-designate quizzed by MEPs

Replying to a question by Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE, ES) on piracy, Damanaki candidate stressed that "the EU has to make sure that its vessels can fish securely, especially off the Somali coast". She pledged to have EU fishing vessels included in the EU Atalanta Operation, which protects merchant vessels from pirates.

Damanaki clears the net

Although MEPs were keen to test her on some areas that did not fall into her competence, there were some omissions in the questioning. No one asked her about bluefin tuna, the subject of a major policy battle in the Commission now and a test-case for the EU's ability to protect fish stocks. There was also surprisingly little discussion of how the EU can get member states to implement its rules. No one asked Damanaki whether she would stand up to national ministers, although this has been a standard question for many other committees.