New Moroccan-EU Fisheries Agreement Of 'Great Economic, Social, And Political Importance' For Spain, Minister
The fisheries agreement, initialled Wednesday in Rabat, between Morocco and the European Union (EU) is of "great economic, social and political importance" for Spain, said Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, Miguel Arias Canete.
The agreement will offer access to Moroccan waters to a hundred Spanish fishing vessels, including those from Andalusia and the Canary Islands, Canete said during a press briefing held Wednesday in Madrid to assess the new Moroccan-EU partnership agreement in the fisheries sector.
He paid tribute to the "support" given by HM King Mohammed VI to reach the agreement, especially after the "inappropriate vote in the European Parliament" in December 2011 against the previous agreement. He also emphasized the important role played by his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch in negotiations.
The new Fisheries Protocol between Morocco and the European Union (EU) was signed on Wednesday in Rabat by Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing, Aziz Akhannouch, and European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki.
Both parties have succeeded at the end of the sixth round of talks, held on July 18-19, 2013 in Rabat, to reach an agreement on the general principles of the negotiations, namely sustainable use of resources, the financial contribution on the basis of fishing opportunities to be determined, and reinforced governance, said a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing.
New Moroccan-EU Fisheries Agreement Signed In Rabat
The new Fisheries Protocol between Morocco and the European Union (EU) was signed on Wednesday in Rabat by Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing, Aziz Akhannouch, and European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki.
New Moroccan-EU fisheries agreement signed in Rabat
Both parties have succeeded at the end of the sixth round of talks, held on July 18-19, 2013 in Rabat, to reach an agreement on the general principles of the negotiations, namely sustainable use of resources, the financial contribution on the basis of fishing opportunities to be determined, and reinforced governance, said a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing.
Concluded for a period of four years, this Protocol will enter into force upon completion of internal procedures, including approval by the Moroccan and European parliaments.
The new protocol provides six categories of fishing with a reduction in fishing opportunities compared to the old protocol allowing access of 126 European vessels against 137 in the previous agreement.
The total annual financial contribution amounts to 40 million euros, including 14 millions dedicated to the implementation of "Halieutis" Plan aimed at improving the sector while ensuring sustainable management and responsible fisheries.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries, the agreement is an important milestone in Moroccan-EU relations. Since the signing of the Moroccan-EU Association agreement in 1996, agriculture and fishing have always occupied a prominent place in the relations between Morocco and the EU.
EU Official In Morocco To Conclude Negotiations On Fisheries
European Union Commissioner Maria Damanaki will be in Rabat, this July 24 to conclude negotiations on the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Morocco and to initial the new Protocol.
Morocco and the EU started last November negotiations for a new partnership agreement in fisheries, following a series of exploratory talks to define outlines of the new agreement.
Since then, Moroccan and European experts have held six rounds of negotiations to reach an agreement guaranteeing fish preservation and sustainable exploitation.
The previous fisheries agreement that the European parliament refused to extend in December 2011 granted 119 fishing licences to the European fleet, mostly Spanish ships, in exchange for financial compensation.