Morocco, EU likely to conclude agreement on agriculture before end of the year

Morocco and the European Union are likely to conclude an agreement on agriculture before the end of the year, Morocco's ambassador to the European communities in Brussels, Aicha Belarbi, said here on Wednesday.

Belarbi told the Moroccan TV channel "TVM" negotiations between the two sides on agriculture are "significantly moving forward," recalling the meetings held in Morocco last May 21 and this June 12.

Morocco is determined to defend the assets of its farmers and in the negotiations it is seeking to guarantee the development of its agricultural sector and rural area, she said.

The diplomat further deemed that Europe is determined to help Morocco in developing its economy, underlining that the kingdom opted for an openness policy based on reinforcing democracy and human rights.

Belarbi recalled the new approach floated by the European Union for its ties with neighboring countries and that aims to integrate countries of the Southern bank of the Mediterranean in the Euro-Mediterranean regional development process.