Brussels, 20/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU has no reason to change its policy towards the countries where Islamist parties hold power. This comment by Stefan Füle, European Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner, as reported by the Moroccan press, is no doubt the key element of the two-day visit by Füle to a country which, like Tunisia, has freely voted for a party whose values may cause external as well as internal concern.
The Moroccan government spared no effort to show its goodwill to the European commissioner, who was making his first visit since the November elections during which the PJD (Justice and Development Party) won a majority and appointed Abdelilah Benkirane to the post of prime minister. Füle's visit coincided with the presentation of the government programme to parliament, which has still to invest the new prime minister.
During presentation of his programme, Benkirane said, as reported by the country's press agency, that the government will work to consolidate cooperation with strategic partners on the basis of common interest, mutual respect and treatment of outstanding issues, especially that relating to Ceuta and Melilla. He spoke of the “strategic importance” of relations with the EU, saying that the government will pursue implementation of advanced status in earnest, as well as the establishment of a common economic area, based on common interests in political, economic and social spheres. However, he went on, such a relationship will not be exclusive. He emphasised that it was also their duty to pursue Maghreb and Arab integration and to consolidate relations with the countries of North and South America. Foreign Minister Saâd Dine El Otmani, of the same party, whom Füle also met, said that the government will step up its efforts to deepen relations with the European Union, although it does urge for a “new vision and a new strategy”.
During his visit, the European commissioner reiterated: “We wish to maintain strong relations in mutual respect”, repeating that “Morocco is achieving major reforms not only on the political but also on the economic and social levels”. He put in: “Morocco is dong well in the reform process and the European Union appreciates this progress”. Füle said the success of such reforms will be the result of democracy, a value that the EU encourages. Nonetheless, he observed, there is still much to be done. “There are still important reforms to be implemented to ensure lasting stability and stronger and more inclusive economic development so that the legitimate aspirations of the people can be met”, he said, adding: “I came here with a clear message that the Commission stands firmly behind your reform efforts and expects them to be continued. (…) The extent of our support and increased cooperation should reflect the needs and ambitions of our partners.”
Financing agreements were signed on the occasion of Füle's visit (see EUROPE 10535) and the commissioner held talks with, inter alia, the minister for agriculture and fisheries, Aziz Akhannouch, in the knowledge that these two dossiers are among the most sensitive in Euro-Moroccan relations. Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was visiting Morocco at the same time as Füle with a view to thawing bilateral relations that had cooled further to non-renewal of the fisheries agreement. (FB/transl.jl)