Morocco still ready for fishery negotiation with EU

Morocco on Friday said it was still ready for fishery negotiations with the European Union (EU).

Morocco, which remains serene in its position, is ready to negotiate with the EU, Moroccan fishery minister, Saeed Chabbatou, told a visiting delegation of the Spanish labor socialist party (PSOE).

Morocco refuses to renew a four-year fishery accord with the EU after it expired in November 1999. The two parties held several rounds of talks, but Rabat clang to its position putting forward a concern to protect its depleting sea stocks against over fishing.

Morocco remains ready to negotiate a new accord that will be fair to both parties, Chbaatou said.

The PSOE delegation is led by Jesus Sanchez Caldera, head of the party's group at the lower chamber of the Spanish parliament.