Brussels, 21/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The last two days of negotiations between the European Union and Morocco did not allow them to reach agreement despite the good will shown by both parties. The EU, whose delegation was led by Mr. Fischler, agreed to conclude a three-year fisheries agreement, with a gradual reduction in the activities of Community cephalopode and shrimp vessels in Moroccan waters, as well as an obligation to offload in Moroccan ports. Such a formula was acceptable to the Moroccan authorities who reduced the financial claim to 90 million euro instead of the 125 million so far demanded. This effort, in the order of 20%, did not, however, meet the demand, still highlighted by the European side, of the proportionality of the financial compensation in relation to the fishing possibilities offered to the Union. Regretting that an agreement could not be reached, Commissioner Franz Fischler considered that, with the EU's last proposal, he had exhausted his negotiating brief. He informed the Member States.
"We made progress regarding the number of EU vessels, compulsory offloading (which would gradually increase and would only concern industrial fishing; Ed.), the fishing areas and the period of biological rest. But I have to say that Morocco's disproportionate financial demands left a very large gap between our positions regarding the financial compensation", declared Mr. Fischler, explaining: "while respecting the principle of proportionality and budgetary discipline, the EU is prepared to increase the compensation paid for fishing in Moroccan waters". He then added: "I explained to my Moroccan partners that the EU's financial resources were limited. We are tied by the brief provided to us by the Council of Ministers (…) I fully recognise the political effort made by our Moroccan partners to offer us the possibility of reasonable fishing".