According to a still provisional timetable, negotiations on renewing the EU-Morocco fisheries partnership agreement could begin in September 2017 (see EUROPE 11654). The current protocol will expire at the end of 2018.
Towards the end of January next year, the EU will launch the study on the evaluation of the EU-Morocco fisheries protocol. The report’s conclusions are expected to be available around the end of May and will be analysed by the Commission.
Thereafter, in late May or early June, the Commission will adopt a proposal so that it can be granted a mandate from the Council of Ministers of the EU to negotiate renewal of the protocol with Morocco.
The Commission hopes to have its mandate around summertime so that talks with Morocco can begin in September. Morocco is believed to have confirmed its willingness to continue these arrangements. The EU and Morocco are thought to be satisfied with the application of the current protocol, in terms of both exploiting the fish resources and sectoral support.
The current protocol covers the period from 2014 to 2018. It authorises 126 European vessels, 99 of which are Spanish, to fish in Moroccan waters. The EU makes an annual payment of €30 million, €14 million of which is to support the development of the fishing sector in Morocco. (Original version n French by Lionel Changeur)