The European Union (EU) reiterated “the great importance” it attaches to its fisheries partnership with Morocco and “the fundamental interest” it accords to pursuing this partnership “based on trust, solidarity, and mutual benefit.”
In a joint communiqué issued, on July 13 in Brussels, following the 5th session of the Joint Commission responsible for monitoring the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, the European Union (EU) emphasized that relations with Morocco in the fisheries sector “are part of a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership, which establishes Morocco and the European Union (EU) as strategic partners for stability, development, and prosperity in the region.”
Held in accordance with the Morocco-EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, this session was an opportunity to assess the four years of implementation of the Fisheries Protocol of July 18, 2019, which expires on July 17, per Article 16 of the Protocol.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, affirmed, on July 12 in Rabat at a press briefing following the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Atlantic African States Process, that Morocco will decide on the future of cooperation with the European Union in fisheries in light of the government’s assessments and consultation with the Kingdom’s European partners.
Bourita also described the implementation of the Protocol as “satisfactory,” noting that cooperation had been “positive and mutually beneficial” over the past four years.
