Brussels, 29/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 5 May, Morocco and the European Parliament will be setting up the joint parliamentary committee envisaged, in Brussels, under the “advanced status” conceded by the EU to this country, announced Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy), who heads the delegation for cooperation with the Maghreb. In preparation for this event, a meeting was held in Brussels on Wednesday 28 April to take stock of the situation and of economic and political relations with the Kingdom of Morocco. In addition to the member MEPs, invitations to the meeting were proffered to Véronique Jensen on behalf of the European Commission, and to Emilie Dromzee, to represent the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN).
Pier Antonio Panzeri noted that the establishment of joint parliamentary committees is rare as these only exist with Mexico and Chile. At the beginning of the sitting, he gave details of the conditions and arrangements for how the joint committee will work. It will be “sovereign”, in that no subject will be banned and, he warned, “it will not be just fun and games”.
Véronique Jenssen spoke of the context that marks Euro-Moroccan relations and pointed out that the Commission has put €580 million on the table to support implementation. She thus underlined the need to move onto concrete acts in respect for the commitments made under “advanced status”, mainly Moroccan approximation with the acquis communautaire and reform of the justice system, that she deems “essential”. This aspect was then largely developed by Emilie Dromzee, who highlighted the
developments accomplished in legislative matters but for which implementation seems, she said, to be marking time, especially with regard to freedoms. The Moroccan press is critical but must avoid crossing any “red lines”. The media in Morocco were penalised for having spoken of the king's health or for having published a survey on his popularity in the country, she said. Dromzee spoke of the case of Sahrawi militants subject to strong repression, and also underlined the duty of facilitating the activity of civil society associations.
During debates, Carmen Romero-Lopez (S&D, Spain) and Malika Benarab-Attou (Greens/EFA, France) raised the problem of visas for entry to the European area, in liaison with the need to encourage exchanges, especially for students. They suggested that a specific Erasmus scheme be set in place. Christian Dan Preda (EPP, Romania) referred to the political context. (F.B./transl.jl)