EU ambassador denies legal disputes with Morocco

Lucio Guerrato, head of the European Commission in Morocco, denied in an interview published Thursday the existence of legal disputes between Morocco and the European Union, stressing that permanent dialogue between the two sides has always been fruitful in settling the tomato issue.

Guerrato told Saudi daily "Asharq Al-Awsat" that Morocco's refusal to renew the fisheries agreement with the European Union is not linked to the association accord which entered into force last March 30, adding that Morocco and the European Union are still seeking new partnership formulas in the fisheries sector.

Regarding the free trade area, projected for 2010, the Rabat-based European diplomat said this is one of the strongest items on the agreement as it will help Moroccan firms and contribute to improve the enterprise legal and administrative environment, in the perspective of the customs barriers.

The EU diplomat cited Morocco's political stability and economic framework as factors militating for the country's integration in the free trade area with the EU.

He added that the union has developed a program to help improve the competitiveness of the Moroccan private sector and is planning to increase its financial assistance to Morocco through the MEDA program.