Brussels, 29/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations with Morocco on a new partnership with the EU in the fisheries sector continue to falter, despite efforts by the European Commission. The meeting between a Moroccan delegation and a European delegation led by the Director General for Fisheries, Steffen Smidt, ended in Brussels on Friday with the observation of a deadlock. The Moroccan delegation did not respond to the European offer of aid to development in Morocco's fisheries sector. It did not react to the Commission's suggestions concerning a type of fishing that respects fish stocks, by Community boats. It was unable to set a new date for further discussions.
In a letter to the Moroccan Prime Minister, Commissioner Franz Fischler asked for a meeting as soon as possible. He considers that progress really has to be made so as to conclude negotiations before the end of November. Fischler is to meet representatives of the Spanish and Portuguese fisheries sector on Monday and the two ministers Miguel Arias Canete and Luis Capoulas Santos, and will give a press conference that evening.