Brussels, 25/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 July, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Henri Malosse made an official visit to Morocco. When in Rabat, he called for the implementation of a “more far-reaching partnership”. This path must be “explored”, given the place that Morocco occupies in the Euro-Mediterranean region and its “great proximity with European values”, he stated in an interview with Morocco's official news agency MAP.
“Morocco is a very particular country in the region.” It is, Malosse stated, “a sort of bridge and link between Europe and Africa”. What makes it so “unique”, in Malosse's opinion, is “the path and approach that is has traced out to ensure its economic and social development”, and all the more so, Malosse adds, as this development “is taking place with the contribution of all components of society”. The Malosse-led mission is mainly due to assess the state of civil society's involvement.
Answering EUROPE's question, Malosse said he was concerned that the recent misunderstandings between Rabat and Brussels be reduced - misunderstandings about the access regime for fruit and vegetables. “The mini-crisis over tomatoes has been settled, thankfully, but I deeply regret that the European Commission took [these] unilateral measures without consultation”. “It's precisely to support a balanced approach, with solidarity, in EU-Morocco relations that I have made this trip to Rabat”, Malosse stated.
In Malosse's view, “the decade that is coming to an end will have seen the EU neglect its relationship with the South - which has also handicapped the countries of the South of Europe”. “I'm expecting much from Jean-Claude Juncker to re-balance the neighbourhood priorities”, he said, especially through “favoured cooperation with Morocco” because this country is “the most stable and most faithful ally in the region”.
“This cooperation should be concerned, as a priority, with the possibilities of economic cooperation - especially as regards investment and industrialisation - as well as with issues linked to migration, on which the EU and Morocco have very complementary approaches”, Malosse added. He called for a “strategic partnership” with Morocco, with a “strong political thread” (our translation throughout). (FB)