EU Reaffirms ‘Utmost Importance’ of Fisheries Partnership with Morocco, ‘Essential Interest’ in its Continuation

On Jul 13, 2023

Brussels – The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed the “utmost importance” it attaches to its fisheries partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco and the “essential interest” it has in its continuation, in a “spirit of trust, solidarity and mutual interest”.

In addition, it emphasized that relations with Morocco in the area of fisheries “are part of a global and mutually beneficial partnership, which makes Morocco and the EU strategic partners for stability, development, and prosperity in the region” in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Joint Commission’s 5th session, which was held Thursday in Brussels.

This fifth meeting, which was held in accordance with the Partnership Agreement for Sustainable Fisheries between Morocco and the European Union, allowed for an overall evaluation of the four years of the Fisheries Protocol’s implementation, which ends on July 17 in accordance with its Article 16.

Nasser Bourita, the minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, had stated at a press conference in Rabat on Wednesday following the conclusion of the third ministerial meeting of the Atlantic African States Process that the Kingdom would decide on the future of its cooperation with the EU in the fisheries sector after considering its own evaluations and seeking input from European partners.

The protocol’s implementation was also deemed “satisfactory” by Bourita, who added that the past four years of cooperation have been “positive and mutually beneficial.”

Brussels Eu Fisheries agreement