Fisheries cooperation must benefit both Morocco, Spain, insists Minister

The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries has insisted that cooperation between Morocco and Spain in the fields of fisheries must benefit both countries, stressing that the North African country remains "open to any possible formula."

"Cooperation in this (fisheries) sector should not be uniform, but should benefit both sides" said Mohand Laenser who was asked by the media on a possible fishing agreement between Rabat and Madrid. He was speaking at the end of meeting, here Thursday, with Spanish counterpart Elena Espinosa.

He noted however that cooperation between Morocco and Spain in the field of fisheries "has never been interrupted" in view of the joint or exclusively Spanish companies operating in Moroccan waters.

The issue of a new agreement is a matter that must be dealt with by the European Union, the Minister explained, adding that, although this issue is not on the agenda, Morocco would set "no condition" and would examine "any possible and imaginative formula."

"Morocco is not closed, but one should innovate," he insisted before laying emphasis on the "abusive exploitation" of sea resources in the Moroccan waters which resulted in a decline of the fishing output, in particular concerning the octopus.

For the time being, and in the absence of a new agreement, both Ministers agreed on four vocational training programs in the fields of maritime fisheries, aquaculture, and shipyards for the years 2005-2006.

Rabat and Madrid also agreed to join efforts to fight illegal fishing and to safeguard sea resources in the Mediterranean.