European Union gives Morocco 120 mln euros for drinking water management

The European Union has granted Morocco 120 Mln Euros to finance a water management program.

The donation is part of MEDA II, the main program of Euro-Mediterranean financial cooperation.

The donation-related convention was signed Wednesday by Moroccan minister of economy, finance, privatization and tourism, Fathallah Oulaalou, and head of the EU commission delegation in Rabat, Sean Doyle.

The management program seeks to rationalize the use of water resources, promote investments in hydraulic and hydro-agricultural projects, implement a renovated policy in matters of sanitation and give incentives to environment-friendly projects.

The program also seeks to help Morocco face up the effects of the cyclical drought hitting the country.

This convention raises the funds earmarked for Morocco in the framework of MEDA II for 2000 and 2001 to 260.57 Mln Euros.

Under MEDA II, Morocco will be granted a global amount of 686.57 Mln Euros for 2000-2004.