Morocco braced for post fishing accord reprisals

Fisheries Minister Thami Khyari said Monday that several countries outside the European Union have invited the kingdom to talks on fishing rights in Moroccan waters.

Khyari told "MAP" Morocco was adamant in its stand vis-a-vis the EU in fishing matters, rejecting an unbalanced partnership based on irrational exploitation of its halieutic resources.

The European fleet left Moroccan waters Nov. 30 when the fishing accord passed by Rabat and Brussels in 1995 expired.

On the same day, Minister of Industry, Trade and Handicraft Alami Tazi held a meeting with agriculture products export and transport associations to set up a working plan should the Spanish bar the way to Moroccan exports via Spain in reprisals for not renewing the fishing accord.