Brussels, 22/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - The meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, between the European Commission and the Moroccan authorities, ended without any real progress on the duration or content of the future partnership agreement regarding fishing between the EU and Morocco. For the first time, the representatives of several European governments (France, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden) attended negotiations. In compliance with the timetable set, a further meeting will be held in Rabat next week.
The spokesman for Commissioner Franz Fischler said that the Commission had shown a certain amount of flexibility so as better to take account of Moroccan interests. The Commission also reaffirmed that a too short agreement would put the entire European approach into question, including the financial and technical assistance proposed to Morocco for the development of its own fisheries sector. The tone of the spokesman has changed as he now stresses that "the Commission is working hard on a fair compromise, but no on an agreement at any cost". EUROPE recalls that Morocco has proposed a two year duration, regarded as too short by the Europeans, who consider that five years are essential to allow its fleet to adapt to the reduction in the fishing effort.