After her meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in Rabat, to discuss about the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement, Commissioner Maria Damanaki made the following statement:
"The European Commission considers Morocco to be a key partner, not only in the Mediterranean, but in general.
"I asked the Commission and the Council to give me a mandate to discuss the new fisheries agreement protocol and I obtained it: we are seeking a new agreement that, at the same time, respects environmental sustainability, is profitable for both sides and is in line with international law.
"I believe that today we have done a very good start and we should continue along this path.
"For the EU and Morocco, cooperation is not a choice: it is a must. We have to cooperate if we are to manage fish stocks effectively.
"I am glad to say that we started today our exploratory talks for a new fisheries agreement protocol with Morocco."
EU/Morocco Agreement Negotiations Begin
MOROCCO and EU - EU Fisheries commissioner, Maria Damanaki, met in Rabat to launch the process of negotiations for a new EU-Morocco fisheries agreement protocol.
by Lucy Towers