Fourth round of Morocco-EU agriculture negotiations held in brussels
Morocco-European Union, Economics, 7/9/2002

Morocco and the European Union are holding in Brussels as of this Monday the fourth round of agricultural negotiations, meant to lead to the conclusion of a protocol on the liberalization of agricultural exchanges in the frame of the association accord.

The two sides will discuss their respective stands in light of the proposals they exchanged at the third round, a source from the European Commission said.

Both sides wish to reach an agreement before next fall, the period marking the launch of Moroccan tomato exports campaign, the source said.

On the European side, negotiators ask for a greater re-balancing of agriculture produce exchanges, with "easier access" to the Moroccan market of European cereals, dairy products and meat, products that are all strongly subsidized.

Morocco argues that this overture will be detrimental to Moroccan produce, farmers and producers. Morocco equally requests, in addition to a preferential regime for tomato exports, to be allowed to export its products under the same conditions as countries which are not bound to the EU by an accord.

The negotiations, described by a European spokesman as "hyper-technical" cover customs tariffs and lists of respective concessions and preferences in matters of imports and exports.

The Moroccan delegation is made up of representatives of the ministry of agriculture and rural development and the autonomous body for exports control and coordination. Moroccan professionals from the sector of agricultural produce exports are also present in Brussels.

Morocco's ambassador to the European union council and the European Community Commission, Aicha Belarbi, told the Moroccan TV channel 2M that opening the Moroccan market to European products cannot be made to the detriment of Moroccan products or harm the interests of farmers and producers, and insisted that agriculture is a strategic sector for Morocco.

Previous Stories:
  European commission supports upgrading of moroccan textile companies   (7/6/2002)
  Morocco-EU Relations Probed   (5/30/2002)
  EU backs Moroccan associations program with 5 mln euros   (5/4/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search