Morocco has taken note of the European Court of Justice verdict rejecting cancellation of its agricultural and fisheries agreements with the EU (see EUROPE 11694) and thus on Thursday 5 January announced to its agricultural producers a sort of return to normal.
This announcement has come after a difficult testing from this judicial episode, which resulted (on 25 February 2016) in Morocco suspending all contact with the European institutions, apart from discussions on this particular issue (see EUROPE 11500).
In this new spirit, Morocco's foreign trade minister has announced the list of beneficiaries for the allocation of tariff quotas, provided for by the EU-Morocco agreement.
This list of importers shows the authorised import quantities for agricultural products, including processed products, as well as for processed agricultural products under quota year 2016-2017. The products concerned include dairy products, jams, pasta, cheese, eggs, almonds and prepared tomatoes.
"We hope this aborted attempt at disruption will serve to defend us [against any risk] of undermining our historical relations which are constantly evolving", the Moroccan minister stated. For Morocco, "trust and visibility are fundamental conditions for the success and continuity of any partnership".
Morocco's agriculture and maritime fisheries minister "hails the responsibility of the sector's operators for their total agreement with the approach requiring consultation, dialogue and bringing the positons closer together". Following the closure of this episode, he intends "to trigger the meeting clause provided for by the protocol in force".
The Moroccan "requests" are awaiting discussion and "it is also essential to run through and discuss any new element that might be mentioned following the closure of this case". After the Court of Justice ruling, the EU and Morocco started discussions between their legal experts in order to examine the follow up to be given, especially on the scope of geographical coverage for their agricultural and fisheries agreements (see EUROPE 11160). (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)