1. An expert group on compliance shall be established by the Commission to assess, facilitate and strengthen the implementation of, and compliance with, the obligations under the Union fisheries control system.
2. The expert group on compliance shall be composed of representatives of the Commission and the Member States. At the request of the European Parliament, the Commission may invite the European Parliament to send experts to attend meetings of the expert group. The Agency may assist the expert group on compliance meetings as an observer.
3. The expert group shall in particular:
(a)
regularly review issues of compliance and implementation under Union fisheries control system and identify possible difficulties of common interest in implementation of the CFP rules;
(b)
formulate advice in relation to the implementation of the CFP rules, including prioritisation of Union financial assistance; and
(c)
exchange information on control and inspection activities, including the fight against IUU fishing.
4. The European Parliament and the Council shall be kept fully informed on a regular basis by the expert group on compliance activities referred to in paragraph 3.