Brussels, 19/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for neighbourhood policy began a working visit to Morocco on Monday 19 May. One source explained that this visit would provide an opportunity for discussing the challenges affecting the EU- Moroccan partnership. The same source explained that “the reform process in Morocco and the different areas for bilateral relations between the EU and Morocco will be on the agenda”. The Commissioner will have meetings with “several members of the government, parliament and other senior officials from the country. He will also have discussions with representatives from civil society and add his signature to the Parliament support programme, which is worth €3 million”.
The broader context of this two-day mission is, however, drawing a certain amount of attention. Some subjects are controversial and are perceived very differently; in particular, agriculture. Morocco has protested against the substance and form of the decision taken last April on the fruit and vegetables access regime and regrets the absence of prior consultation, despite the EU refuting this interpretation. In an interview with the Moroccan media, the EU ambassador in Rabat, Rupert Joy, explained that this change was in response to criticism systematically raised by operators regarding the way in which the system functioned. He added that the new system would apply across the board to all fruit and vegetables imported in the EU from every country and was therefore not a specific measure targeting Moroccan products. The ambassador explained that this change would mean the new system was in line with the Community Customs Code.
One Moroccan source close to the dossier explained that “the countries associated with it must be involved, even at a consultative level, with the decisions affecting their economies. They cannot be considered as third countries”.
The trade negotiations dossier on creating a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) will form the backdrop to this visit. Urged by different economic actors, the government will have a tight negotiating brief to respect. One source close to Ambassador Joy said that they would continue to push forward in all areas of negotiations and mentioned “public procurement, technical standards for industrial products, customs procedures and trade facilitation, health measures, intellectual property rights, competition, the energy business and trade aspects of sustainable development”.
Also under pressure from civil society, the government will in addition have to ensure that it does not give too much up on the question of “mobility” or sign the “readmission” agreement in parallel.
In an effort to mitigate these concerns, Commissioner Füle described Morocco's strategic role and just before his visit provided assurances that Morocco had had a “strategic vision of its relations with Europe for a long time”. He added that the country had always been a strong exponent of different proposals and prepared to develop “new visionary initiatives and help other countries benefit from its experience”. He said that he was convinced that the EU and Moroccan relations should benefit from the renewed ambition and impetus.
An official EU press release indicated that “regional questions of common interest, such as the Maghreb integration process and security in the Sahel, will also be on the agenda”. (FB)