Morocco and the EU strengthen partnership

These measures concern in particular cooperation in political and security matters, the preparation of a comprehensive and deeper free trade agreement, the gradual integration of Morocco into a number of EU sectoral policies, and the development of people-to-people exchanges.

They are intended to provide material support for the modernisation and democratic transition process that Morocco has been engaged in for a number of years and for which Morocco is requesting more substantial backing from Europe. However, the agreement doesn’t mention any definite date.

 

The free trade agreement too will require long times as Morocco will have to generally implement the European safety and phytosanitary standards.

 

The final aim is to allow Morocco’s access to all the EU “excepted for the institutions”, former European Commission’s president Romano Prodi pointed out.

 

At the meeting, Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for external relations and the neighbourhood policy, said: “Morocco is undertaking a raft of reforms in all areas. It has asked for Advanced Status in our Neighbourhood Policy, stronger links with Europe to consolidate what has already been achieved and to give fresh impetus to its modernisation and democratic transition process. The Commission has done its utmost to respond to Morocco’s expectations and we have made a great many proposals in the areas that are within our competence. I welcome their adoption today by the Association Council.”

 

At the meeting of the Association Council in July 2007, the European Union and Morocco decided to set up an ad-hoc working group to look into ways of strengthening relations between the two parties. This group produced detailed proposals that will be adopted by the Association Council.