EN    EN EN 
EN    EN  EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 11.2.2011 
SEC(2011) 170 final 
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CO MMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for 
the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheries  Partnership Agreement with the Kingdom of 
Morocco
EN 2   EN RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CO MMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the European Union for 
the renewal of the protocol to the Fisheries  Partnership Agreement with the Kingdom of 
Morocco 
1. EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM   
The European Union and the Kingdom of Moro cco have concluded a Fisheries Partnership 
Agreement and its related protocol , which was adopted on 22 May 20061 and entered into 
force on 28 February 2007. The protocol, which grants fishing opportunities for EU vessels and 
fixes the financial counterpart, will expire on 27 February 2011. 
The application of the current Agreement extends to waters south of 27° 40' N. In line with 
the specificity of the latter zone under international law and the legal conditions under which the EU has engaged with Morocco in a bilateral agreement including this zone, the Commission asked Morocco on several occasions  throughout 2010 to provide an assessment 
of the benefits of the presen t Agreement to the local population. Morocco replied to this 
request on 13 December. While continuing to asse ss the situation on this basis, it is proposed 
to renew the current Protocol for one year, so as  to allow for time to conclude negotiations on 
a revised protocol with appropriate guarantees, and for fishing activities to continue in the 
meantime. The Council is asked to adopt th e negotiation guidelines attached to this 
recommendation.  
2. RECOMMENDATION 
In light of the above, the Commission recommends that:  
– The Council authorises the Commission to ope n and conduct negotiations for the renewal 
of the protocol in the framework of the Fi sheries Partnership Agreement with the Kingdom 
of Morocco; 
– The renewal is to be limited to one year; 
– The Commission is nominated as the Union negotiator for this subject; 
– The Commission shall conduct such negotiati ons in consultation with the special 
committee pursuant to the provisions laid dow n in the Treaty on the functioning of the 
European Union; 
– The Council approves the negotiation guideli nes attached to this recommendation.  
                                                
 
1 OJ L 141 of 29 May 2006, p. 1 
EN 3   EN ANNEX  
Negotiation guidelines  
– The objective of the negotiations is the renewa l of the protocol in the framework of the 
Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of 
Morocco, in line with the 15 July 2004 Counc il conclusions on fisheries partnership 
agreements based on the Commission' s communication of 23 December 2002. 
– With a view to ensuring the promotion of sustainable and responsible fisheries, the 
Commission's negotiation objectives will be as follows:  
– Renewing the current Protocol for one y ear, necessary for the adoption of a new 
legal framework of EU-Morocco fisher ies relations, subject to the following 
conditions: 
– An adjustment of fishing opportunities in line with the best av ailable scientific 
advice;  
– Regular reporting on the implementation of sectoral polic y, based on commonly 
agreed indicators, including the re gional impact of the protocol.