On Monday 23 October, the European External Action Service said in a press release that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita have expressed common determination to conclude as soon possible the current negotiations to amend the protocols of the agricultural agreement between the EU and Morocco.
The EEAS says the meeting between Mogherini and Bourita in Brussels provided an opportunity to take note of progress in the talks.
The negotiating mandate for re-writing the agreements with Morocco was adopted by the Council of the EU on 29 May, following a ruling on 10 December 2015 by the EU General Court requiring separate account to be taken of the internationally recognised territory of Morocco and that of the Western Sahara (contested) (see EUROPE 11450). This court ruling is challenged by both the EU and Morocco.
According to the EEAS, Mogherini and Bourita said they were planning to jointly address common challenges to Mediterranean and African countries. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)