New round of Morocco-EU political talks on fisheries as progress is cited in technical talks
Morocco-European Union, Economics, 2/10/2001

The European Union Commissioner for Fisheries, Franz Fishler, will be visiting Morocco this Feb.20-21 for talks with fisheries minister, Said Chbaatou, to "bring Moroccan and EU stances on the fisheries issue even closer," Fishler's spokesman said.

The two sides cited, at the end of technical talks over a new fisheries agreement held in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, some progress that bridged the gaps on several aspects. However, both sides spoke of needed adjustments to technical aspects.

A source close to the Moroccan negotiators said the European Union wants a new round of technical discussions next week in Rabat. The head of the Moroccan technical negotiators said Morocco gained some progress but numerous adjustments are still needed and the upcoming talks will help further explore European support to Moroccan fishing sector.

He explained Morocco grants utmost interest to developing and restructuring its fishing sector and the EU support should take the form of actual partnership projects between the two sides industries.

In addition to the European contribution to developing the fish industry in Morocco, talks have also been stumbling on the financial compensation, which Morocco considers as a "fundamental parameter" and over duration of a new agreement.

Morocco also insists it should be keeping a control over fishing activities and ending the "laxity" which used to prevail under previous agreements.

Morocco refused to renew the fisheries agreement with the European Union when it expired in November 1999 and proposed a re-negotiation of the terms of European fishing activities in Moroccan waters. Under the agreement, 600 European trawlers used to operate in Moroccan waters.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco, EU Resume Negotiations on Fisheries Friday   (2/9/2001)
  Morocco, EU hold new round of negotiations on fisheries   (2/8/2001)
  New Morocco-EU round on fisheries next week   (2/3/2001)

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