Talks between the EU and Morocco took place in Brussels on Thursday 8 September on agriculture, the environment and fisheries. Moroccan agriculture and offshore fisheries minister Aziz Akhannouch met EU Environment and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Karmenu Vella and Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.
The interviews examined changes in the partnership and the multifarious cooperation that Morocco wants to see extended. Morocco’s official press agency says Akhannouch said he had talked to the Europeans about progress in bilateral agreements and welcomed the increase in Morocco’s exports to the EU, estimated at being to the tune of 10%, under balanced pricing and access to the market, favourable to both Moroccan and European producers, which he said was a sign of easing after a year of tension characterised by the "tomato crisis".
On the general question of prospects for cooperation, the minister hoped that cooperation would develop serenely and in an upright fashion, taking into consideration the considerable efforts made by Morocco in a number of domains and respecting agreements and commitments.
The minister was referring to the tension generated by a December 2015 ruling by the European General Court (see EUROPE 11451) questioning the legality of aspects of the EU-Morocco farm and fisheries trade agreement. The ruling caused intense irritation in Rabat and embarrassment in Brussels. The Council of the EU and the European Commission have appealed against it (see EUROPE 11453) and the appeal is expected to lead to a decision later this year (at the end of November or early December). An advocate general is due to lodge conclusions on 13 September. Sticking to the agreed approach, Hogan simply pointed out that the European justice system is independent, but described the meeting with Akhannouch as "very cordial and productive".
The commissioner took note of Morocco’s organisation on the fringes of the COP 22 in Marrakech on 8-16 November 2016 of a special agricultural development day in connection with the environment, a topic that was discussed with Vella.
The day before, Morocco’s interior minister Mohamed Hassad, visiting Brussels for a security forum (see EUROPE 11619), met EU Home Affairs and Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. Hassad said a broad security cooperation deal will be signed shortly with EUROPOL. (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)