Brussels, 21/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On a visit to Rabat on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May, Stefan Füle, the European commissioner responsible for the neighbourhood policy, amongst other dossiers, met several members of the government with responsibility for dossiers related to the EU and, in particular, Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. He assured them of his “willingness to breathe new life” into the bilateral relationship, to raise it to the level of ambition aspired to.
The Commission is committed, he said, to “reinforcing political and technical dialogue with Morocco, on the basis of our shared concerns and interests and we have also discussed how we can reinforce the political management of this process”. This is a “long-term” commitment, he stressed.
“The EU has reiterated its financial support to accompany the reforms undertaken by Morocco, such as tax reform, justice reform and budgetary reform”, Minister for the Economy and Finance Mohammed Boussaid told the media of his country.
Füle described the EU's relationship with Morocco as a “success story”. In his addresses, he welcomed the reforms undertaken by Morocco since 2011. These “show a genuine commitment to modernisation and democratisation”. He “particularly welcomes the increased role of women in public and political life”. On his list of positive points, he also referred to the “reform of the legal system, particularly military justice”.
The commissioner assured the foreign minister that the EU is “prepared to do more to support Morocco. And despite the budgetary constraints of the EU, we are making the effort to maintain a high level of financial cooperation, reflecting the importance we attach to our advanced partnership”. This commitment also applies at an economic level and in terms of job creation, which is a priority for Morocco.
In Rabat on Monday, the commissioner and President of the Moroccan Parliament (Chamber of Representatives) Rachid Talbi Alami signed an agreement for €3 million over four years (2014-2018) to “increase the visibility of parliamentary activity” in the country. (FB)