Morocco-EU to resume agriculture negotiations in March

Morocco and the European Union held on Wednesday the first round of negotiations on agriculture, the most difficult sector in the association agreement in force since March 2000, and decided to meet again next March.

A member of the Moroccan delegation said the EU took note of Morocco's stance regarding tomato exports. In addition to preferential regime it enjoys for tomato exports to the European markets, Morocco is asking to benefit from the same terms granted to countries which do not have an agreement with the Union.

In next March's session, the two sides will submit a list of concession and preferences in imports and exports.

The European Union which is granting strong subsidies to its agriculture is reluctant to open its markets to Moroccan produce, while Morocco, keen to protect small farmers, does not want a large opening of its market to over-subsidized European agricultural products.

Negotiations already described as strenuous are further complicated by the need to abide by the World Trade Organization multilateral agreements.

However, sources at the European Commission, the EU executive body, hope to reach an agreement before end 2002, as decided during last October's meeting of the Morocco-EU association agreement.

A source at the European Commission, the EU executive body, said the next round of negotiations will focus on balancing reciprocal preferences.