Brussels, 23/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The 4th session of the EU/Morocco Association Council is being held on 26 April in Luxembourg. Two themes seem to be on the agenda of the meeting at ministerial level (Morocco will be represented by its minister delegate, Taïeb Fassi Fihri). These themes are: - political dialogue and financial means for cooperation, the development of which is welcomed by the European Commission. The session is also expected to allow the EU and Morocco to give a broad rundown on the situation in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Iraq and to discuss the fight against terrorism and the question of weapons of mass destruction. The general context is that of EU enlargement to 25 and the Union trusts it will contribute to strengthening Euro-Moroccan partnership.
Political dialogue: The EU plans to confirm its wish to develop direct political dialogue and to conduct it in a "spirit of partnership without taboos", with emphasis on the promotion of human rights. The Moroccan sovereign's commitment to establishing modern and democratic rule of law is warmly received, like the recent progress concerning women's rights. Morocco is "encouraged" to sign up to international conventions on human rights, on combating terrorism and against torture. On the subject of the Sahara, the EU plans to restate its "full support" to the efforts undertaken by the UN Secretary General and his special envoy to the area, and to affirm its humanitarian action to the advantage of the civilian populations.
Economic dialogue: The EU is pleased to note that Morocco has been able to maintain positive economic growth despite relative slowdown in 2003, which has allowed various economic indicators (inflation, budgetary indebtedness, fiscal policy, etc.) to reach satisfactory levels. It also appreciates the way Morocco is applying the association agreement and uses the funds allocated to it, not only under MEDA but also from the EIB. It is affirmed by Community sources that Morocco is the "main beneficiary of Community aid" under the MEDA programme. Commitment appropriations rose to EUR 1,181.3 million for the period 1995-2003, including EUR 525.3 million between 2000 and 2003. As far as payment appropriations are concerned, Morocco received during the period 1995-2003 a total of EUR 412.9 million under the MEDA programme. The disbursement rate reached 72% in 2003.
The EU is to invite Rabat to continue the economic policies that allow it to speed up its rate of development bearing the rate of population growth in mind. The country is also well placed for improving the business environment, carrying out reforms and giving impetus to its foreign trade, although the European Commission has already announced its regret that consultation could not take place before conclusion of negotiations for a free trade area with the United States. The Commission also regrets that a number of quantitative restrictions have been kept in place for European exports to its market (leather and raw hide) and plans to request abolition of these restrictions as soon as possible.
Agricultural chapter: The Commission hopes the particular agreement in force since 1 January 2004 will allow cooperation to be intensified. The hope, in Brussels, is also that detailed discussions will be opened on the liberalisation of services as on all sensitive themes on which Morocco and the EU last year formed six specific sub-committees.
Regional cooperation: The EU appreciated the fact that "Morocco has become a driving force" and invites it to commit itself fully to the new dialogue on the policy between neighbouring countries launched over recent months. Furthermore, the EU is expected to recall its attachment to the so-called Agadir process which aims to set up "horizontal" free trade between its partners on the southern shores of the Mediterranean.
Immigration: A sub-committee is responsible for this issue, which will be tackled on Monday in Luxembourg. In this framework, the EU hopes that negotiations with Morocco for a re-entry agreement will resume as soon as possible and that an agreement will be signed any time now.
Euro-Mediterranean human rights network calls for action plan (neighbour policy)
to place emphasis on human rights
With a view to Monday's Association Council, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network makes a series of recommendations and calls for the action plan to be developed for Morocco in the context of the policy on neighbouring countries to grant an essential place to human rights. The network welcomes the positive developments in Morocco since 2000, but is concerned above all by human rights violations perpetrated in the context of the fight (that it sees as "legitimate") against terrorism and fundamentalism. The EMHRN (Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network), which deplores the fact that, in some European states, immigrants are victims of xenophobia, racism and legislation contrary to human rights, insists that respect of human rights and refugees is an "essential element of any re-entry agreement" between the EU and Morocco.