Members of the European Parliament give their views on the EU's radical fisheries reform while Kosovo edges closer to the EU after recent talks with Serbia.

The News: Sustainable fishing - Kosovan EU dreams

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15690288/N001-110713-EN.srt

Facing fish stock depletion, a radical  EU fisheries reform is now planned.

We get the MEPs' reaction  in this programme.

The future of Kosovo debated.  Pristina would like to join the EU

And, the rest of today's news  in brief and in pictures.

Only 9% of Europe's fish stocks may be  sustainable by 2022, says the EC.

After failing to protect them, the Common  Fisheries Policy is being reformed.

What we're going to do is give  the possibility, at sea-basin level,

for our Member States, industry  and everybody to agree on a plan.

But this de-centralisation – returning  powers to States and fishermen –

It's a very modest proposal now where  she's saying Member States can decide

on mesh sizes of the nets  or on different kinds of policies

for stopping discards,  and that seems to be all.

Conservationists say reform is vital  as too many boats are chasing fewer fish

in what was once the world's  most productive fishing ground.

Close to 72% of fish stocks  are now over-fished

so unless we recover them  fishermen will have no future.

Up to 60% of fish currently caught  are thrown back dead,

and having tradable quotas instead.  A disastrous solution, say some.

The underlying idea is to change  the management system of the CFP,

introducing a system  of private property rights

over a public resource,  the resource of fisheries.

If we introduce this on a mandatory basis  I can foresee large European companies

who will take over responsibility for fishing  in Ireland, in possibly 5 or 10 years.

MEPs share the aim to fish  only sustainable stocks by 2015

but the reform proposals so far have  little support. A long struggle lies ahead.

As part of the former Yugoslavia  it hopes to put its bitter past to rest.

The Kosovan Foreign Minister spoke of  its progress in recent talks with Serbia.

but some expressed concern  that words turn to action.

It's not enough to agree,  it's not enough to sign,

and it's not enough  to make family photos.

Implementation is the magic word  when we talk about the Western Balkans.

Kosovo declared independence  from Serbia in 2008.

It hopes to join the EU with the countries  Slovenia and soon-to-be-member Croatia.

To join, they're asking  the EU for help.

For the time being we are operating  like an isolated island within the region.

I'm asking for more support  to help our country get trade relations.

The Foreign Minister would like  Serbia and Kosovo to join together.

Although perhaps unrealistic now,  most MEPs support it.

All the problems and conflicts,  that now seem huge, will be solved

inside the common European house  within the next few years.

Kosovo's Serbian minority  is key to talks with Serbia.

But those Serbs who decided  to remain in Kosovo,

who are part of the solution  not the problem...

and this will greatly assist Belgrade  to change and soften their position.

Five EU States yet to recognise Kosovo  have indicated

which may mean  Kosovo's EU dream could come true.

MEPs require removal  of child pornography web pages.

Tougher penalties for some  20 child abuse and porn crimes

Those viewing child porn  could be prosecuted

if they knowingly and intentionally  enter a site containing such images.

The new legislation is to be approved  in September.

€9.5 million to help redundant  Austrian workers find new jobs.

The Budgets Committee gave  the green light on Wednesday.

The EU grant is mainly aimed at 356 former  workers of metal manufacturers.

Before the crisis, metals made up  almost 9% of Austria's total export volume.

Migrants' personal details  at Frontex's disposal.

The Civil Liberties Committee voted  to reinforce the EU border control agency

Frontex could also buy  or rent its own equipment.

The plans must be approved  in September's plenary.