Spain has to understand. A well-understood lesson in dignity and defence of the interests of its country and people: this is how we have felt the conduct of the Moroccan authorities in their conduct with the EU regarding fishing and trade in agriculture. Sure, the European Commission would have preferred greater solicitude in the definition of Rabat's position; sure, the Spanish and Portuguese authorities (especially, the authorities of the regions directly involved in fishing in Moroccan waters) would have preferred greater openness and understanding, and Spain has already stated that it found the Moroccan stance over fishing unacceptable. But when vital interests are at stake, understanding must be mutual: Spain must understand Morocco, if it is preparing to defend its citrus fruit producers (which it should soon be doing).
The facts are known. Morocco considers that it can no longer conclude a new fisheries agreement with the EU based on the granting of fishing rights in its waters in exchange for financial compensation. There are two reasons why this should be the case for Rabat. The first is that fish stocks do not allow for intensive fishing in these waters without running the risk of transforming the Mediterranean into a dead and polluted sea, to the detriment of nature and future generations. The second reason is that no country with a sense of dignity can grant third countries, in exchange for money, what it refuses its own nationals. A new fisheries agreement is possible, but on radically different bases, founded on cooperation and technical assistance. If the information available in this initial phase of negotiations is correct, Moroccan negotiators are prepared to agree to limited and transitional fishing by European fishermen in their waters, the time for the fishing fleet to be restructured in some regions of the EU that rely on that activity.
How not to understand the bitterness and at times despair, especially of Spanish fishermen directly affected? They see waters being closed to them in which previously they fished freely as, but a few years ago, they were international waters; traditions, ancestral customs and sources of income that are disappearing…It's tough. But, at a more general level, one has not either to forget to what extent Europeans themselves have destroyed the resources of their waters, by intensive and at times inadmissible methods of fishing (at least in southern Italy). A few days ago, Franz Fischler underpinned the need and urgency of stepping up checks and monitoring, as some Member States do not respect the rules and quotas in force. One cannot demand rigour in one's own water and a favourable regime in the waters of another.
In Agriculture, trade liberalisation is but a fourth priority. Rabat's conduct demands the same respect regarding the re-negotiation of the agricultural provisions of the Association Agreement. Before considering the gradual opening of the Moroccan market, especially for cereals, milk and soja, the authorities consider it necessary to examine repercussions on local production, notion that the EU itself has defined and is trying to affirm in the framework of the WTO.
Out title states that the Moroccan attitude is not only a lesson but also an example. For whom? For all, and foremost for the EU itself. The authorities in Rabat prove that they have understood that, in agriculture, trade negotiations are not only a question of money and the opening up of markets. These two aspects have their importance, that's obvious, but they must give way to other priorities: the first is to safeguard nature and bio-diversity, already so deeply jeopardized in our Europe and in the Mediterranean. The second is territorial balance, which means maintaining a farming activity and a population on the territory as a whole, in a balanced manner. The third is a high level of food autonomy, which obviously does not mean closing borders (as for itself, the EU is the main agricultural importer in the world), but demands safeguarding indispensable production for food and the natural balance. Commercial interests, whether this pleases the large retailers and multinationals or not, come after. Thanks to Morocco for having reminded us of something we at times give the impression of having forgotten.
Ferdinando Riccardi