WRITTEN QUESTION E-1228/01

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(26 April 2001)

Subject: Failure of negotiations on the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement Cooperation with Morocco

In his reply to a question from Fernando Fernández Martin, MEP (E-2594/00)(1), Commissioner Christopher Patten stated that the aid granted during the period 1996-1999 to Morocco under the MEDA programme alone amounted to 630,29 million, representing an annual average over this four-year period of 157,5 million. We assume that the present amount of financial aid to Morocco in the framework of Community cooperation programmes is at least equal to the above amounts although we do not have the exact figures.

According to Portuguese press reports, the failure of the negotiations on the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement was, to a large extent, due to a difference of ESC 5 billion per year in financial compensation which the Moroccan Government demanded and to which the Commission could not agree. This difference of ESC 5 billion is equal to 24,9 million, which is well below the level of annual EU aid granted to Morocco.

It is understandable that Morocco or any other country should decide to negotiate its resources at a higher price and this is entirely within its sovereign rights. However, a country which chooses to conclude agreements on this basis also correspondingly reduces its level of dependence and need for external aid. In other words, acceptance of Morocco's demands could apparently have been offset by a greater or, at least, equivalent reduction in Community financial aid under the cooperation programmes. Such a policy, i.e. greater independence through effective use of one's own resources and hence less need for external support, could actually be justified.

It is also clear that the failure of the negotiations on the fisheries agreement had serious economic and social implications for fishermen and the economy as a whole in Portugal and Spain.

Community cooperation programmes form part of international solidarity policies, which are of unquestionable importance, especially vis-à-vis the Moroccan people and the Kingdom of Morocco, a neighbour and friend. However, in the field of solidarity, the Commission and other Community institutions have a duty, first and foremost, to EU citizens, whose welfare has, in this particular case, been seriously undermined.

Will the Commission therefore state whether it sought to defend the EU's interests, and in particular the interests of Portuguese and Spanish fishermen, by taking a firm stance in negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco and setting off the financial compensation requested by Morocco with respect to the fisheries agreement against the Community aid granted under cooperation programmes? If not, why not?

(1) OJ C 113 E, 18.4.2001, p. 128.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2001)

The Commission and the Kingdom of Morocco signed an Association Agreement which came into force on 1 March 2000. Its long-term aim is the creation of a free trade area between both parties.

The dismantling of tariffs linked to the Agreement's implementation will mean on the one hand the gradual opening up of the Moroccan market, which will be advantageous to Community operators, and on the other hand, will require a major effort by Moroccan producers to cope with European competition. The MEDA Programme was developed to help Morocco improve its economy during the transition towards free trade.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember in this context that since the Association Agreement came into force, the dismantling of tariffs has meant a short-term reduction in the Moroccan annual budget, which the MEDA Programme barely offsets as a result of the limited Community funding available for cooperation with other countries.

EU-Moroccan relations reflect the two sides' willingness to work towards economic integration in the interests of both parties. Cooperation on fisheries, although important, is only one of a wide range of areas covered. During the fisheries agreement negotiations the Commission took account of every aspect of European interests in its relations with Morocco.