Brussels, 08/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations regarding the terms of the new protocol for a fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco began on Thursday 8 November in Rabat. In February 2012, the presidency of the Danish Council indicated that an agreement by qualified majority existed between EU countries on the negotiating brief to give the European Commission for such an agreement with Morocco. The most recent protocol was scrapped at the end of last year, following the European Parliament's rejection of the text (EUROPE 10542 and 10532).
The first round of meetings will be exploratory and aim to develop an understanding of the technical aspects that will promote sustainable and profitable use of resources, as well as identify species where there is a current surplus and which could subsequently be allocated by Morocco to EU fishing boats. Discussions will also focus on the modalities for financial support to the Moroccan fisheries sector. The Commission has explained without it would like to conclude a renewed partnership that is compatible with its external dimension and reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and which subsequently guarantees, “maximum benefit to both parties”.
Maria Damanaki, the European Commissioner for fisheries, declared that “further to my visit in April to Rabat, where I had a good discussion with my Moroccan counterparts, I am glad that the negotiations for the renewal of the protocol to the FPA can start today”. (LC/transl.fl)