The minister was speaking at the GFCM conference at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, which convened delegates from various countries to discuss the establishment of the GFCM budget and definitive structures – among which is the location of its headquarters.

This extraordinary session follows a declaration made during a ministerial conference for the Sustainable Development of Fisheries in the Mediterranean, held in Venice last November.

In connection with the headquarters, the minister said a 15th century fort had already been earmarked for the purpose, adding that the Maltese government would offer the commission its full support, making sure it had all the facilities to operate efficiently. The fort chosen is said to be the St Thomas Fort in Marsascala.

“We firmly believe that we can maximise our geographical position for the benefit of this commission,” he said, “being at the cross roads of the major international maritime routes and at the outermost borders of the European Union in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is the ideal site to host these headquarters.”

Fishing was a particularly important economic and cultural activity for countries on the Mediterranean borders, he said, adding that the region’s fishing practice had specific features that were internationally recognised and subject to special considerations.

The EU has taken into account these considerations and consequently carried out a full review of the common fisheries policy creating a special niche for the Mediterranean Sea.

He also pointed out that the particularity of the region, especially in the fields of research and fish-stock management called for cooperation among all Mediterranean countries.

In this connection he also mentioned the various sub-regional projects such as the COPMED, MedSudMed, Adriamed and EastMed managed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), saying that they are the backbone of field studies in the region.