Brussels, 16/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The claim, reported in the Moroccan media that “the EU is seriously considering cancelling its promised allocation” of €45 million for a scheme to promote equality for women, is, according to our European sources, only partly correct. These same sources do not conceal the real annoyance felt by the EU at the delaying tactics by the Moroccan Ministry of Social Development, the Family and Women, which will be the main beneficiary of this funding. This ministry is headed by Bassma Haqqaoui, who belongs to the conservative Islamist Justice and Development Party.
At issue is funding, which is ready to be paid out, agreed in October 2011 with the then government, which was defeated in the recent elections by the Islamist party of Prime Minister Abdelilhah Benkirane. The Agenda for Equality scheme has dropped from sight in the ministry, Moroccan media report, raising concern within female civil society.
The EU delegation in Rabat has, our sources say, been working actively to have the scheme put back on the agenda despite all the minister's evasiveness. Reading a “negative signal” in the government's attitude, the EU has threatened to withdraw the promised €45 million and to cancel the scheme if it is not implemented very soon. Rabat has given assurances that the crisis is in the process of resolution. (FB/transl.rt)