Morocco-European union association committee meets in rabat
Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/12/2002

The Morocco-European Union association committee holds its second meeting in Rabat on Wednesday to carry on dialogue on political and regional issues of mutual concern in light of the situation prevailing on the national and international scene.

The committee will also assess the work of the four work groups it had set up during its first meeting, held in Rabat in February 2000, and assess actions conducted in the frame of the creation of a free-trade area between Morocco and the EU, stipulated by the Morocco-EU association accord, that was signed in 1996 and came into force in March 2000, a statement by the Moroccan foreign department said.

The meeting, held after the association council convened its second session in Luxembourg in October 2001 at ministerial level, will look into new proposals related to the enforcement of other provisions of the association accord and may consider the setting up of other work groups that will deal with cultural affairs, scientific research, transports.

The existing four groups deal with tariffs dismantling, agricultural negotiations, services and social issues.

The statement added the Rabat meeting will provide opportunity to further dialogue with the European partners on the privileged statute wished by Morocco in its relations with the EU.

The EU delegation to the meeting will be led by acting chairman of the Maghreb-Mashreq group of the EU, Fidel Sendagorta.

The Morocco-EU association accord provides for the establishment of a free-trade area as of 2010 in line with the rules of the World Trade Organization and the gradual suppression of customs duties, the liberalization of services, and the free movement of capital. Free-trade does not however cover agricultural products that must be the object of specific negotiations.

The accord also provides for financial cooperation to help Morocco carry out economic, social and cultural programs.

Previous Stories:
  Europe can intervene in Sahara solution within Morocco's kingty, European official   (2/16/2002)
  European parliament delegation confers with Moroccan officials   (2/15/2002)
  European parliament delegation confers with Moroccan mps   (2/14/2002)

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