European MP calls for end to europe's fish for money concept

"The fish-for-money" concept must be "cleared off Europeans' heads," said Euro-MP, Brigitte Langenhagen, of the German Democrat Christian Union (CDU).

"Europe suffers a chronic deficit in fish, and Morocco, with its fisheries resources, offers ideal possibilities, but relationships must be based on equal rights," said Langenhagen, who is also vice-chairman of the fisheries committee at the European Parliament.

In a story published by several German papers including Frankfurter Rundschan, Sueddentsche Zeitung and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the MP said the failure in renewing the fisheries accord with Morocco is due to the "lack of flexibility" in the European negotiation strategy.

"It is nonsense to seek to impose fisheries conditions to a sovereign state (Morocco) that enjoys a steady political and economic development," insisted Brigitte Langenhagen who visited Morocco last January.

"Morocco wants to participate actively in fish processing, which means that the catches must be, at least partially, processed in the country. This creates jobs and welfare."

"Thanks to cooperation with Morocco, Europe can make achievements. We need fish, but must, in exchange, offer a balanced partnership. This must be more than a question of Euro bills."

"Enhancing cooperation with stable countries like Morocco can only contribute in EU's success in the 21st century," Langenhagen concluded.