Portugal seeks to renew fishery agreement with Morocco

A Portuguese diplomatic source said that his country seeks to discuss the ratification of a new accord allowing Portuguese ships to fish in Moroccan waters by the end of the current agreement in November.

The source told ArabicNews.com today that in a phone call yesterday, the Portuguese government informed the European Commission of Portugal's desire to ratify a new accord.

The source added that all these agreements are currently under discussion by the European Union, and that, "Portugal initiated in the European Commission by announcing our desire to continue cooperation with Morocco."

According to the current agreement, 35 fishing boats of Portugal are allowed to enter Moroccan water.

The source said that the Portuguese fishery industry in recent years provides only 800 jobs.