Brussels, 31/08/2015 (Agence Europe) - “Negotiations continue” between Brussels and Rabat “with a view to increasing the level of bilateral trade in the agricultural and fisheries domain”, say Moroccan press, picking up on the statements made by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan on Wednesday 26 August (see EUROPE 11375).
These media note that Hogan showed “optimism justified by Brussels' satisfaction at the EU partnership with Morocco on agriculture and fisheries”.
The news of opening negotiations has not been confirmed in Brussels. During his press conference last Wednesday, Hogan spoke mainly of good reports and the hope of enhancing these relations. He mostly addressed the outlook of selling more milk in Africa and especially in North Africa - a potentially important buyer for Europe's milk production. “Africa offers a potential source of growth” from the export of this product and “we are already doing a lot of business” with the countries of this continent, Hogan said in answer to a question.
A recent meeting of the African Union, with its Commissioner for Agriculture Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, is said to have added to this hope when Hogan and Tumusiime reportedly discussed “how we can advance” these trading relationships between the European Union and the African Union. “The North African countries like Algeria, Morocco and Nigeria are substantial importers of European products”, Hogan said, without giving further detail. He also said that there were opportunities of developing such imports.
Hogan mentioned Morocco in particular. “I met the minister of agriculture at the Berlin Green Week last January. We signed agreements in relation to geographical indications”, which certify the origin of products. Hogan stated that he would visit Rabat early next year. (Fathi B'Chir)