Brussels, 15/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 13 July, the EU and Morocco signed the national indicative programme for 2011-2013 which sets out “the strategic priorities and financial commitments” for the coming three-year period, for which €580.5 million has been allocated, the EU delegation in Rabat has announced. This sum, the highest allocated to a country in the European neighbourhood policy (ENP), responds to the two countries' political ambitions. The aim is to bring about reform in agriculture, health, gender equality and access to housing.
Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Salaheddin Mezouar and EU Ambassador to Morocco Eneko Landaburu signed the programme. The head of the EU mission stated that “Morocco's ambitions in development, modernisation and democracy are part of its desire for closer relations with the EU” which has seen country being granted “advanced status” and reforms - which, it was stressed, were “wanted by Morocco” - introduced. “The European Union is supporting the Kingdom in this desire by means of appropriate planning which takes account of the priorities of a joint agreement with Moroccan authorities,” Landaburu added. (F.B./transl.rt)