Brussels, 10/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - Last Friday, in Luxembourg, the EU and Morocco signed an agreement on mobility, the first ever for that region. It opens the way to the sealing of other agreements with other Mediterranean countries.
The most visible effect of this agreement with Morocco will be the granting of visa facilities, the details of which are still to be determined. It encourages “concerted” action against unwanted immigration, in favour of controlling migratory, including maritime, routes and against the trans-border networks of people smugglers and human trafficking networks. It will also cover various areas of cooperation affecting the management of regular flows (social security, etc.) and the contribution of this migratory cooperation to the development efforts framed by the association agreement. Account is taken of the specific nature of Morocco as a country of origin, of transit and, what is more, as a destination for migratory flows.
The agreement gives concrete substance to the commitment taken one year ago during a visit to Rabat by President Barroso. Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs, said: “We have today made a huge step forward and I hope that other partner countries will also follow suit”. She signed the document with the Moroccan minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Saad dine El Otmani, and the ministers responsible for migration from nine EU member states involved in implementation of the partnership: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The first objective cited is to continue cooperation between the EU member states and Morocco on simplification of procedures for access and stay (including through the possibility of issuing multiple entry visas and longer stay visas, and conceding exemption to administrative costs for certain categories of people). The agreement must also cover relations with third states to fight against illegal migration. This is a direct reference to the neighbouring countries of the sub-Saharan region transiting through Morocco, which has to date shown itself to be reticent to sign a “readmission” clause. The wording chosen indicates the common will to support, in respect for dignity and fundamental rights, the setting in place of initiatives facilitating the voluntary departure of migrants in unlawful situation and the socio-economic reinsertion of those migrants, not only for Moroccan nationals in the EU but also third country nationals in Morocco.
The document signed sets out political objectives with regard to emigration and immigration. Signatories undertake to work together in a spirit of partnership with a view to ensure better management of migration according to a global and balanced approach, in the mutual interest. The common wish is to work for better coherence between the policy for the mobility of people and other areas of sector-specific cooperation (trade, teaching, research and culture) so as to facilitate entry and stay on the territory of EU member states by those undergoing professional training courses, students, academics, Moroccan researchers and business men and women.
The signatories note the advantages and the positive impact of controlled migration management, that they wish to make into a possibility for enhancing global partnership rather than an additional problem.
Four priority lines were identified. First of all, it is necessary to better manage the movement of people for short term stays, regular migration and migration for professional reasons, taking into account, for the latter, the situation of the employment market for the signatories. Then, cooperation must be strengthened for migration and development, allowing the potential of migration to be optimised and for its beneficial effect on the development of Morocco and the European countries to be enhanced. Thirdly, it is necessary to combat unlawful immigration, human trafficking and people smuggling, and to promote effective policy for returns and readmissions in respect of fundamental rights, applicable legislation and the dignity of all people concerned. Finally, it is necessary to abide by the duly ratified international instruments relating to the protection of refugees. (FB/transl.jl)