Brussels, 01/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahamane Youssoufi met Commissioners Chris Patten and Antonio Vitorino, as well as Javier Solana on Thursday in Brussels (see EUROPE 29 June p 4). Two main themes were discussed - EU/Morocco co-operation and the double context of the Maghreb and Mediterranean, as well as immigration. Mr Youssoufi explained that Morocco would ensure that its relations with the EU were in a spirit of partnership in view of Euro-Mediterranean construction. The Moroccan Prime Minister also pointed out that the implementation of the association agreement had consequences for the economy of his country particularly in relation to loss of excise duty revenue due to the opening up of the market and increased competition resulting from it. The "levelling out" is due to the "internal effort", he explained but would also need some kind of accompanying European measures so that his country could meet the important political, economic, social challenges facing it. He pointed out that the context was difficult and that Morocco was facing its third year of drought and damage was already being wreaked in the agricultural sector. Economic growth, however, he explained was still increasing - 6.5% in 2000 and 4.5% in 2001.
The Minister trusted Maghreb construction, which he saw as a key factor in strengthening Euro-Mediterranean co-operation, "We are working in a South-South direction as much as in a North-South direction, particularly on a Maghreb level", he explained. He regretted, however, the hostile attitude of a "neighbouring country", which had contributed to freezing the Maghreb integration process. "The closer we get to a solution (of the conflict in the Sahara: Editor's note), the more we notice the intensification of the campaign against Morocco", he explained.
The Head of the Moroccan government explained to Commissioner Vitorino that he was worried about the situation of legal immigrants in EU Member States and was afraid that the events of 11 September could lead to xenophobic campaigns in different EU countries. Mr Youssoufi explained that in order for the flow of illegal immigration to be stemmed, it would be necessary for the countries of origin, as well as host countries to "discourage people from leaving". This could involve co-operation between inspection and security services to stop the traffic in human beings, he acknowledged.