Brussels, 08/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - The first EU-Morocco summit, that was held in Granada on 7 March, ended with a “positive outcome” in the development of relations between the two parties and determination to extend the relationship by considering establishing a “contractual” basis in the future.
The EU was represented at the summit by the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the Spanish prime minister, José Luís Zapatero. The Moroccan prime minister, Abbas El Fassi, headed his country's delegation in the king's absence. At the final press conference, all the politicians stressed the fundamental importance of the first summit and how it set an example for the rest of the region. The final statement fully met Morocco's expectations, anxious to appear as a precursor in the development of the EuroMed partnership. The statement explains that this unprecedented first EU summit with a Mediterranean partner since the Lisbon Treaty came into force demonstrates the pioneering nature of the relations and their “specific nature” that has acquired “strategic importance”. The statement mentions the prospects for a “new contractual link to replace the association agreement” and seal Morocco's fundamental political decision of choosing to connect itself with the EU. An initial draft discussed advanced integration of the Moroccan economy based on the rules governing the European Economic Area. Both sides state that they will continue reflection on the character and the form of this new contractual relationship, the timing of which will no doubt depend on progress in actually implementing Morocco's “advanced status” with the EU. The EU urges Morocco to keep up the pace, in return for which Morocco expects substantial financial support to match the scale of the officially confirmed and consecrated ambitions.
Both sides welcomed “important progress” including concluding the trade negotiations over farm products, processed farm and fisheries products and the trade dispute settlement agreement. They note, however, that substantial progress has to be made in the trade negotiations over services and the right of establishment. The EU notes that the regulatory convergence process is a vital component of implementing the joint document on advanced status and in this connection both sides agreed that it is important to step up their work to achieve the objective.
Since the winter of 2008, the EU and Morocco have been working towards the introduction of an “advanced status”, often described as the next stage up from association but without the aim of actually joining the EU. In political terms, Morocco has promised to meet European standards. The EU explains in the joint statement that it welcomes the reforms launched by Morocco in recent years but highlights the importance of this process of legislative, political and institutional reforms, particularly in terms of justice, freedom of expression, freedom of press and freedom of association. In addition to this, other issues are covered by regular political dialogue, like the Western Sahara, the Middle East, the Union for the Mediterranean, the situation in the Sahel and immigration. A joint EU-Morocco parliamentary committee will be set up this year. Morocco's prime minister said that virtually everything had been discussed and the final statement sets out the agreed viewpoints reached to Morocco's satisfaction. In terms of economics, the parties pledge to step up the negotiations on services and the right of establishment, to develop transport networks and to cooperate in the development of renewable energy sources. Morocco and the EU note in the statement that they agree to strengthen cooperation mechanisms on immigration and to strengthen the capacities of the relevant parties in fighting illegal immigration. The signing of an agreement “as soon as possible” in this connection was announced.
At the end of the summit, Morocco and the EU give some information in the final statement about an “operational agenda”' including the setting up of a joint parliamentary committee, intensifying negotiations over issues not yet settled (services, the right of establishment, fine-tuning systems for access to processed farm and fisheries products markets) and, more generally, the preparatory phases for opening “exploratory talks” on an “extended free trade agreement”. (F.B./transl.fl)