Luxembourg, 27/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - the fourth session of the EU/Morocco Association Council that took place in Luxembourg on Monday provided the occasion for the two partners to congratulate each other on their excellent relationship. The European Union welcomed the significant reforms taken, particularly the adoption of the new family code. It was also pleased with the holding of a Euro-Mediterranean conference in Morocco on 20-21 May on the social consequences of economic reform and the signing on 25 February in Rabat of the Agadir Agreement between Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia. It interprets the agreement as "an essential stage in the economic and social integration process in the Arab Mediterranean world and the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean area of free trade by 2010". On the other hand the EU regretted that information meetings and consultations were unable to be held before the conclusion of negotiations for a free trade zone with the USA.
Morocco again expressed its wish for real reciprocity from the European Union. It considers that the new neighbourhood policy of the enlarged Union could, on the basis of the concept - "everything except the institutions" - provide a catalyst for the opening of an office from the European Investment Bank in Rabat but also reiterated its wish that social sectors, notably social housing, health and education, which constitute the priorities of the Moroccan government, benefit from Community discount rates when they are funded from EIB loans. Morocco reaffirmed its goal of concluding a readmission agreement and its commitment to fighting against illegal emigration and immigration.
The new national indicative programme 2005/06 was approved by the MED committee on 9 March. The total expected amount for the programme is EUR 275 million. the following programmes are planned or the 2005 commitment: unfit housing conditions; development of the northern provinces; support for the water sector; accompaniment programmes to the association agreement and the Enlarged Europe Strategy; Khenifra project; support for professional associations; support for institutions, NGOs; TEMPUS. The following programmes are planned for 2006: tax reform; EIB interest discounts; TEMPUS.