Brussels, 19/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU-Morocco Association Council held its 12th session on Tuesday 16 December, under the joint chairmanship of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Morocco's Minister for Foreign Affairs Salaheddine Mezouar.
In a press release, the meeting confirmed “the positive dynamic of the bilateral relations” with a country considered as “an important partner for the EU” and which “plays a key role in the Euro-Mediterranean area and the EU-Africa Partnership”.
An opportunity was provided for political exchanges on the region (including on Libya, Sahel-Sahara, Western Sahara and the Middle East). On the bilateral level, a good result on relations and on progress achieved over the year was noted on both sides, as was a “move to review of the reform process as well as the steps to come”.
Mogherini congratulated Morocco on the progress made and she encouraged it to continue its reforms. Mezouar hailed the “quality” of a relationship that served as a model to other countries in the region. “We have always acted sincerely” in our relationship with Europe, he said during a short final press conference. The EU confirmed its commitment to accompanying this process as part of the 2013-2017 action plan, the joint press release states.
Mezouar stated that “the agenda is full”. Few details have filtered through from the session on the thorny issues that marked the year, and which mostly found an acceptable solution on both sides - the fishing agreement, and the access to fruit and vegetables scheme. Other issues are nevertheless still on the discussion table, such as the negotiation for a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement (DCFTA) opening the Moroccan market to competition on services, the liberalisation of public procurement and also regulating intellectual property. After being involved in this, the Moroccan government was under strong pressure from the sectors concerned and practically imposed a “pause for reflection”, to give time for better studying the impact of the expected European competition. It is still not known whether the Council session enabled these talks to be relaunched. The same goes for the mobility proposed by Brussels that continues to feed into the conclusion of the readmission agreement that Morocco only envisages with reluctance. (FB)