King Mohammed decides to exceptionally allow Galicia fishing ships access to Moroccan exclusive economic zone

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has decided to exceptionally authorize access to the Moroccan Exclusive Economic Zone to Galician ships affected by the catastrophe cause by the wreckage of the Prestige ship off Spanish coasts.

"The Kingdom of Morocco, which is neighbor and friend of the Kingdom of Spain and which enjoys a long maritime and fisheries tradition, fully shares the concerns of the populations hit by the catastrophe, and particularly the Galician operators in fisheries activities," the Royal Office said in a release made public on Friday.

"Within the context of this Royal decision, drawn from the principles of economic solidarity and neighborliness, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, held on this very day (Friday) phone talks respectively with His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and with His Excellency Jose Maria Aznar, President of the Spanish Council, who thanked his Majesty for this act of solidarity towards Spain," the Royal Office release added.

The Authorization allowing Galician Ships access to the Moroccan fishing areas covers a three-month period that can eventually be renewed in light of the evolution of the situation on the field.

The practical modalities and the technical conditions for the materialization of the Royal decision will be set shortly, the release said.