Brussels to host December 7-8 new Morocco-EU fishery round

Delegations from Morocco and the European Union (EU) will meet December 7-8 for a new round of talks on fishery cooperation, the department of foreign affairs and cooperation said.

Parties parted last week in Rabat saying no "real progress" was made. The EU seeks a 4 to 5 year agreement while the kingdom offers two years, said fishery general-manager of the European Commission Steffen Smidt.

After the Rabat-round, head of the Moroccan delegation and secretary general of the sea-fishery department Rhanmi Tijani said talks were "difficult" and voiced hope the EU would show more understanding and partnership spirit.

The answer came Friday from Brussels when the spokesman of the commissioner for agriculture and fisheries said the EU was "ready for more compromise to reach a balanced solution."