Costas Kadis successfully convinced MEPs during his hearing in Brussels yesterday, as he outlined his vision for the Oceans and Fisheries portfolio.
While final approval from the European Parliament plenary is due on 28 November, coordinators of the PECH committee have reportedly given the green light for his appointment.
The three-hour hearing before members of the Fisheries Committee and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety demonstrated the portfolio’s significance for many EU countries. Questions focused heavily on Baltic Sea issues, both regarding fisheries and environmental pollution, as well as ocean protection policies.
Kadis secured approval with 20 votes in favour and six against. Support came from the EPP, Socialists, ECR, Renew and Greens, while opposition votes came from the Left, Patriots and ESN groups.
During his presentation, Kadis emphasised his island background and its relevance to understanding the blue economy. He outlined three main priorities:
- Ensuring competitiveness in fisheries and aquaculture sectors
- Promoting the blue economy
- Protecting oceans
He committed to delivering a roadmap for carbon neutrality in fisheries and aquaculture by late 2025, with a 2050 perspective. Kadis also announced plans for a European Ocean Pact, targeting:
- Healthy and productive oceans with biodiversity protection
- Strengthening the EU’s blue economy
- Expanding EU maritime knowledge
The hearing began with a minute’s silence for flood victims in Andalusia, Spain, called by PECH committee chair Carmen Crespo Díaz. When challenged about waste management issues in Cyprus by Dutch MEP Anja Hazekamp, Kadis explained the matter predated his ministry tenure and is now before the courts.
The commissioner-designate pledged close cooperation with parliamentary committees and emphasised his commitment to EU principles, promising to be accessible to MEPs and responsive to constituent concerns.
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