Morocco-EU "2013 a remarkable year of cooperation"
17 December 2013
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"The year 2013 was remarkable in terms of achievements and results obtained," the European Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy.
The last twelve months of cooperation between Morocco and the European Union have been rich in achievements, making 2013 a remarkable year, said Monday in Brussels, the European Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule.
"If I look at the last twelve months of cooperation between Morocco and the EU, I can say that the year 2013 was remarkable given the achievements and results obtained," stressed Stefan Fule at a press conference following the 11th Morocco-EU Association Council.
The European Commissioner added that there are many examples illustrating this great success of the Morocco-EU partnership, citing in this regard the new fisheries protocol adopted by the European Parliament last week, the agreement on the Mobility Partnership signed last June and the mandate granted to the European Commission to start negotiations with Morocco on a visa facilitation agreement.
Fule noted in this regard that the agreement on visa facilitation demonstrates the special relationship between the EU and Morocco, "the first southern partner with which the EU is committed to concluding such an agreement."
The launch of negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and the progress made in negotiations on the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products are further important achievements, he added.
Fule also stated that Morocco remains one of the largest beneficiaries of EU assistance in the region with over 708 million euros in commitments for the period 2011-2013, noting that a significant portion of this funding comes from the SPRING program (Support to Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) in recognition of the progress made by the Kingdom in the context of democratic reforms.
"Our objective today is to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations on the basis of the Advanced Status through, in particular, the new joint action plan 2013-2017 that we have just adopted," he said.
The new action plan, explained Fule, focuses on a gradual alignment of Morocco with European standards in order to facilitate its economic integration into the common market.
This instrument, which provides several concrete advantages in terms of foreign investment, market access, competitiveness but also job creation, also aims to consolidate respect for human rights and democratic principles, improve governance and a greater involvement of civil society, he continued.
The Morocco-EU Association Council was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Salaheddine Meouar and his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Linkevicius, on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
The European Executive was represented at this Association Council by the European Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule.
Lematin.ma
Published on December 17, 2013.
Posted online on December 17, 2013.
The last twelve months of cooperation between Morocco and the European Union have been rich in achievements, making 2013 a remarkable year, said Monday in Brussels, the European Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule.
"If I look at the last twelve months of cooperation between Morocco and the EU, I can say that the year 2013 was remarkable given the achievements and results obtained," stressed Stefan Fule at a press conference following the 11th Morocco-EU Association Council.
The European Commissioner added that there are many examples illustrating this great success of the Morocco-EU partnership, citing in this regard the new fisheries protocol adopted by the European Parliament last week, the agreement on the Mobility Partnership signed last June and the mandate granted to the European Commission to start negotiations with Morocco on a visa facilitation agreement.
Fule noted in this regard that the agreement on visa facilitation demonstrates the special relationship between the EU and Morocco, "the first southern partner with which the EU is committed to concluding such an agreement."
The launch of negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and the progress made in negotiations on the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products are further important achievements, he added.
Fule also stated that Morocco remains one of the largest beneficiaries of EU assistance in the region with over 708 million euros in commitments for the period 2011-2013, noting that a significant portion of this funding comes from the SPRING program (Support to Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) in recognition of the progress made by the Kingdom in the context of democratic reforms.
"Our objective today is to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations on the basis of the Advanced Status through, in particular, the new joint action plan 2013-2017 that we have just adopted," he said.
The new action plan, explained Fule, focuses on a gradual alignment of Morocco with European standards in order to facilitate its economic integration into the common market.
This instrument, which provides several concrete advantages in terms of foreign investment, market access, competitiveness but also job creation, also aims to consolidate respect for human rights and democratic principles, improve governance and a greater involvement of civil society, he continued.
The Morocco-EU Association Council was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Salaheddine Meouar and his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Linkevicius, on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
The European Executive was represented at this Association Council by the European Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule.
Lematin.ma
Published on December 17, 2013.
Posted online on December 17, 2013.
