Brussels, 15/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - The EU-Morocco Association Council session in Brussels on Monday 14 December focused primarily on the follow up to be given to the ruling of the EU General Court that legally calls into question a memorandum of understanding on the agricultural trade system.
According to Morocco's foreign affairs minister, Salaheddine Mezouar, who co-chaired the session with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the issue was “the only subject” of these talks. (The talks serve for giving an annual update on the state of cooperation and for renewing commitments under the action plan that links the two parties as part of the neighbourhood policy).
Mezzouar said he believed the case was “Euro-European”, returning the Commission to its responsibilities, so to speak. With the approval of the Council, the Commission has appealed the ruling and asked for “the introduction of provisional measures” (see EUROPE 11453). “Our international commitments will be respected”, Mogherini stated - which is what the Moroccan minister also said yesterday. Speaking at length to the press, Mezouar stated that Morocco has always played the game, respected its word and taken a strategic commitment in being linked with the EU. However, “we are legitimately asking questions” following this “ruling with political connotations”. He concluded his warning, which was more argued than critical, by noting that the EU was at least embarrassed by the result of this ruling - a ruling that, he said, creates a “dangerous precedent”. Mogherini, for her part, spoke at length about the important value of the relationship between the EU and Morocco. The case thus seems to have - provisionally - reached its epilogue, with Morocco's desire for the relationship with the EU to continue in “clarity, coherence and security”.
In a press release, the EU “confirms its commitment to Morocco and its key role” in the neighbourhood policy. The Association Council enabled the EU “to review the important areas of common interest in which the EU cooperates with Morocco - including migration, security and the fight against terrorism”, it is stated officially. The Association Council “also provided the opportunity for an exchange at high political level on the many regional issues of common interest - such as regional integration, Libya, Syria and the Sahel”. Of particular note were the points sent to those speaking on behalf of Morocco - the resolve to respond to Moroccan enthusiasm for the revised neighbourhood policy with the proposal to start “in-depth consultations on the future nature and approach of the partnership” over the course of 2016. This is an exercise that will establish Morocco's long-requested desire for “differentiation”. The EU also underlines “the need to relaunch the DCFTA (deep and comprehensive free trade area) negotiations” and to put an end to the Moroccan-imposed pause “as soon as possible”. In the same way, the EU is calling for a return to the negotiating table on “the partnership of mobility” and “readmission”, and also for “reflections” to be opened on security, migration and democratic reforms. (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)