Brussels, 23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Optimism prevailed in Rabat where negotiations were getting under way on Wednesday 24 July between the EU and Morocco on the fisheries agreement between the two partners.
European Commissioner for Fisheries Maria Damanaki, will take part in these talks and her hopes that this session (the seventh) will be the last appears to be shared by both sides. The Moroccan ambassador to the EU, who is in Rabat for the final discussions, told EUROPE that just a few technical points still needed to be sorted out. Menouar Alem was at pains, however, to refute comments expressed by such as his colleague, Alberto Navarro, the Spanish ambassador in Rabat (see EUROPE 10893), that political questions, specifically the Sahara issue in this case, is one of the last remaining points still causing friction.
The Moroccan ambassador said: “I strongly deny” that this is the case and asserted that the subject had been raised and settled during the previous session. Alem added that “Morocco has never contested” the provisions contained in the memorandum of understanding and had “no reservations” about the reference to human rights in the text being finalised. He also stated that there was an agreement on “the economic and social impact (of the memorandum of understanding) on all the regions” and explained to EUROPE that “this also includes the Sahara”. (FB/transl.fl)