Morocco-EU Fisheries Agreement ‘Remains in Force’, to Be Deployed to ‘Deepen Bilateral Partnership’ (Joint Statement)
Brussels – Morocco and the European Union (EU) have agreed to continue their cooperation as provided for in the Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries, which “remains in force”, in order to deepen their bilateral partnership.
“Morocco and the European Union have agreed to continue their cooperation as provided for in the Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries, which remains in force, in order to deepen the bilateral partnership on key issues such as scientific campaigns, technical cooperation, the fight against illegal fishing, the economic integration of operators, safety at sea and the improvement of working conditions and the protection of seafarers,” reads a joint press release issued at the end of the 5th meeting of the Joint Commission in charge of monitoring the Agreement, held on Thursday in Brussels.
The meeting, which was held in accordance with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Morocco and the European Union, gave participants the chance to evaluate the Fisheries Protocol’s four years of implementation, which ended on July 17 in accordance with its Article 16 deadline, according to the same source.
During this event, Morocco and the EU congratulated one another on their model cooperation, which has under all circumstances permitted the operation of artisanal and industrial vessels, the transparent and strict management of the Protocol, and the ongoing scientific monitoring of the condition of fisheries resources.
the excellent state of progress of the projects for the development of the fisheries sector in Morocco, highlighting the positive socio-economic impact on the sector, on small-scale fishing, on sustainable aquaculture for the benefit of young entrepreneurs and fishermen’s cooperatives, as well as on job creation, training, and research. In particular, the parties welcomed the satisfactory implementation of the Fisheries Agreement and its Protocol in its various dimensions, in particular the excellent state of progress of the projects for the development of the fisheries sector in Morocco.
According to the Protocol’s provisions, these projects may continue after its expiration, the joint press statement states.