Brussels, 16/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU member states expect difficult discussions on the mandate to be granted to the European Commission to negotiate for a new fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco, following the termination at the end of December of the current protocol (the European Parliament decided to withhold its approval of the protocol - see EUROPE 10516). What is making discussions so tricky is the issue of the Western Sahara. Several member states and many MEPs argue that the agreement is politically unfair as it brings no benefit to the Sahrawi people.
At the presentation to EU member state experts of the draft negotiating mandate on the new agreement, the Commission first confirmed that the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) could be used to provide compensation for the losses incurred by the fishing fleets affected by the cessation of the current protocol to the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement. Spain is the country whose fleet was hardest hit, and is calling for compensation of between €15 and €16 million.
In terms of prospects for a possible new agreement, the Commission argued the draft mandate is balanced on the three main priorities identified by the Parliament (the environment, economy and legality of the agreement). On the environmental side of things, the agreement will be based on surplus resources, which will mean a total review of the various categories of fishing vessels (classification, number, fishing opportunities). As for the economic plank, the Commission will apply the “value-for-money” principle in negotiations to adjust fishing opportunities to the EU contribution. With regard to legality, the draft mandate says that Morocco must comply with international law and report regularly on how the money for the people concerned is being spent. Provision is also made for human rights and democratic principles clauses, which is now the rule for new partnership agreements concluded in the fisheries sector.
Spain and France, backed by Portugal, Italy and Poland, called for amendments to the mandate. These countries feel, in particular, that explicit reference to the Western Sahara is unnecessary and state that it goes beyond what was asked for by the Parliament. Some countries would appear to want this reference to be retained in the mandate.
Furthermore, Spain and France, with the support of a number of countries, asked for “surplus” to be defined so that the EU fleet is not put at a disadvantage compared with third country fleets also fishing in Moroccan waters.
The discussions are due to continue within the Council bodies on 25-26 January, and, if no technical agreement can be reached, the issue will be passed on to member states' ambassadors to the EU (COREPER). (LC/transl.rt)