Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be adopted by the European Community and its Member States within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-Morocco Action Plan
Date: 2004-12-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU relations, Morocco, action programme, aid policy, common foreign and security policy, cooperation policy, economic relations, trade relations

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 9.12.2004 
COM(2004) 788 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the position to be adopted by the European Community and its Member States  
within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement 
establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member 
States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, with regard to 
the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-Morocco Action 
Plan 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The 2002 Copenhagen European Council, closing accession negotiations with ten new States, 
recognised that enlargement presented an important opportunity to take forward relations with 
neighbouring  countries  based  on  shared  values,  and  stated  that  the  Union  remained 
determined  to  avoid  new  dividing  lines  in  Europe  and  to  promote  stability  and  prosperity 
within and beyond the new borders of the Union. 

The  Commission  Communication  “Wider  Europe  -  Neighbourhood:  A  New  Framework  for 
Relations  with  our  Eastern  and  Southern  Neighbours”  of  March  20031  proposed  the 
establishment of Action Plans with partner countries. On 16 June 2003, the Council welcomed 
this Communication and invited the Commission, with the contribution, where appropriate, of 
the High Representative, to present proposals for Action Plans for all countries concerned as 
appropriate, commencing with Ukraine, Moldova, and Southern Mediterranean partners with 
Association Agreements. 

On  14  June  2004,  the  Council  welcomed  the  Commission  Communication  “European 
Neighbourhood  Policy  –  Strategy  Paper”2.  The  Council  also  welcomed  the  Commission 
proposal  to  pursue  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  (ENP)  through  Action  Plans  to  be 
agreed  jointly  with  the  neighbouring  countries  concerned  and  invited  the  Commission  to 
propose such Action Plans. Action Plans should have a minimum duration of three years and 
be subject to renewal by mutual consent. They should be based on common principles but be 
differentiated,  as  appropriate,  taking  into  account  the  specificities  of  each  neighbour,  its 
national  reform  processes  and  its  relations  with  the  EU.  Action  Plans  should  be 
comprehensive  but  at  the  same  time  identify  clearly  a  limited  number  of  key  priorities  and 
offer  real  incentives  for  reform.  Action  Plans  should  also  contribute,  where  possible,  to 
regional cooperation. The Council also defined how to advance and monitor implementation 
of action plans.  

The  Commission,  in  close  cooperation  with  the  Presidency  and  the  High  Representative  on 
issues related to political cooperation and the CFSP, has held exploratory talks with Morocco 
which have resulted in agreement on a draft Action Plan. It covers a timeframe of three to five 
years. Its implementation will help fulfil the provisions in the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement 
and will contribute to an increasingly close relationship with Morocco, involving a significant 
degree of economic integration and a deepening of political co-operation. Implementation of 
the Action Plan will significantly advance the approximation of Morocco’s legislation, norms 
and standards to those of the European Union. 

The Action Plan is a broad tool for economic and political co-operation, carrying to a further 
stage the commitments and objectives contained in the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. 

1 COM(2003)104 
2 COM(2004)373 

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In accordance with the Council Conclusions of 14 June 2004, stipulating that the Action Plans 
will be approved by the Council and subsequently endorsed by the respective Association or 
Co-operation Councils, the Commission attaches the text of a proposal for a Council Decision 
on the position to be taken by the European Community and its Member States within the EU-
Morocco  Association  Council  with  regard  to  the  adoption  of  a  Recommendation  on  the 
implementation of the Action Plan in annex.  

The Commission therefore requests the Council to adopt the attached proposal for a Council 
Decision. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the position to be adopted by the European Community and its Member States  
within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement 
establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member 
States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, with regard to 
the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-Morocco Action 
Plan 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to Article 2 (1) of the Council and Commission Decision 2000/204/EC, ECSC 
of  24  January  2000  on  the  conclusion  of  a  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  between  the 
European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Kingdom  of 
Morocco, of the other part; 

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, in particular Article 15 thereof; 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission3; 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European 
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, 
of the other part, was signed on 26 February 1996 and entered into force on 1 March 
2000; 

The  Parties  intend  to  agree  on  an  EU-Morocco  Action  Plan,  which  will  support  the 
implementation  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  through  the  elaboration  and 
agreement of concrete steps towards attainment of its objectives. 

3 OJ C [ ] of [ ], p [ ] 

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HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The  position  to  be  adopted  by  the  European  Community  and  its  Member  States  within  the 
Association  Council  established  by  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  establishing  an 
association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and 
the  Kingdom  of  Morocco,  of  the  other  part,  with  regard  to  the  implementation  of  the  EU-
Morocco Action Plan shall be based on the draft Recommendation of the Association Council 
annexed to this Decision. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX  

draft 

RECOMMENDATION 

on the implementation of the EU-Morocco Action Plan  

The EU/Morocco Association Council, 

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the 
European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Kingdom  of 
Morocco, of the other part, and in particular Article 80 thereof, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

Article  80  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  gives  the  Association  Council  the 
power  to  make  appropriate  recommendations,  for  the  purposes  of  attaining  the 
objectives of the Agreement.  

In terms of Article 90 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, the Parties shall take any 
general  or  specific  measures  required  to fulfil  their  obligations  under  the  Agreement 
and shall see to it that the objectives set out in the Agreement are attained. 

 The Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement have agreed on the text of the EU-
Morocco Action Plan. 

The  EU-Morocco  Action  Plan  will  support  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-
Mediterranean Agreement through the elaboration and agreement between the Parties 
of concrete steps which will provide practical guidance for such implementation. 

The Action Plan serves the dual purpose of setting out concrete steps in bringing the 
fulfilment  of  the  Parties’  obligations  set  out  in  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement, 
and of providing a broader framework for further strengthening EU-Morocco relations 
to involve a significant measure of economic integration and a deepening of political 
cooperation,  in  accordance  with  the  overall  objectives  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Agreement. 

HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION: 

Sole Article 

The  Association  Council  recommends  that  the  Parties  implement  the  EU-Morocco  Action 
Plan in annex, insofar as such implementation is directed towards attainment of the objectives 
of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.  

Done at [...] 

For the Association Council 

The President 

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ANNEX 

EU/MOROCCO ACTION PLAN 

1. Introduction 

The enlargement of the European Union, which became fact on 1 May 2004, has profoundly 
altered the political, geographical, economic and social situation of the Union, providing the 
opportunity to consolidate and deepen its relations with the neighbouring countries to the East 
and  South.  The  European  neighbourhood  policy  will  go  beyond  the  current  association  and 
offer  the  EU's  neighbours  a  deepening  of  the  political  relationship  and  the  prospect  of  a 
significant  measure  of  economic  integration  through  gradual  integration  in  the  EU  internal 
market. The European Union and Morocco are determined to seize this opportunity in order to 
strengthen the ties between them and promote stability, security and prosperity on a basis of 
partnership,  common  interests,  joint  ownership  and  differentiation.  This  approach  will 
contribute to the establishment of a strategic neighbourhood partnership. 

The  EU  neighbourhood  policy  sets  ambitious  goals  based  on  the  mutually  recognised 
acceptance of common values such as democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect 
for human rights, market economics, free trade, sustainable development, poverty alleviation 
and the implementation of political, economic, social and institutional reforms. Cross-border 
cooperation and shared responsibility for the establishment of an area of peace and stability, 
including crisis management and the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the region, also 
form part of the new European neighbourhood policy. 

Morocco and the European Union wish to deepen their political, economic, social and cultural 
relations, as well as their security cooperation. 

For Morocco, rapprochement with the Union represents a fundamental foreign policy choice. 
The neighbourhood policy will allow the country to reinforce the strategic foundation of this 
choice through the conclusion of reciprocal undertakings and to promote the regional and sub-
regional  dimension,  in  particular  in  the  context  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  process.  In  this 
connection,  the  Agadir  Free  Trade  Agreement,  signed  in  Rabat  on  25  February  2004,  is  a 
model of economic integration in the region.  

The deepening of Morocco's relationship with the European Union, which will help identify 
new cooperation measures and strengthen political ties, is a practical response that will allow 
Morocco to progress towards advanced status. 

The  rate  of  progress  on  this  ambitious  plan  will  depend  on  the  efforts  and  concrete 
achievements in meeting jointly agreed priorities. 

This  Action  Plan  has  a  timeframe  of  three  to  five  years.  It  will  enable  a  more  targeted 
implementation of the instruments provided for in the Association Agreement between the EU 
and  Morocco  and  will  support  the  Moroccan  objective  of  bringing  its  economic  and  social 
structures  more  into  line  with  those  of  the  Union.  This  process  also  requires  the 
approximation of Moroccan legislation, regulations and standards to those of the EU in many 
areas  with  a  view  to  gradual  integration  in  the  Union's  internal  market  and  its  regulatory 
structures. It will also build solid foundations for further economic integration with Morocco 
to  enhance  trade,  investment  and  growth  in  line  with  the  objectives  of  regional  economic 
integration. 

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The Action Plan will support the development and implementation of policies and measures 
designed to promote economic growth, employment and social cohesion, reduce poverty and 
protect  the  environment,  thereby  contributing  to  the  long-term  objective  of  sustainable 
development.  Implementation of the  Action Plan will take account of the necessary balance 
between accelerating the process of opening and modernising the Moroccan economy and the 
imperative of sustainable socioeconomic development. 

As  part  of  the  overall  review  of  this  Action  Plan,  the  EC  will  examine  Community 
programmes  and  bodies.  The  objective  will  be  to  identify  the  scope  for  Morocco's 
participation  in  these  activities  where  there  is  a  mutual  interest  and  subject  to  conditions, 
notably on financial contributions by Morocco as well as a commitment by Morocco to align 
its legislation in the related fields. 

In  order  to  meet  all  the  objectives  contained  in  this  Action  Plan,  the  European  Union  will 
provide substantial financial support via an appropriate range of financial instruments. 

Morocco and the EU will cooperate closely on the implementation of this Action Plan which 
is  sufficiently  flexible  to  ensure  that  it  adapts  to  the  pace  of  development  of  EU-Morocco 
relations. 

New partnership perspectives 

The European Neighbourhood Policy opens new partnership perspectives: 

•  the  prospect  of  moving  beyond  the  existing  relationship  to  a  significant  degree  of 
integration, including offering Morocco a stake in the internal market and the possibility of 
participating progressively in key aspects of EU policies and programmes; 

•  an  upgrade  in  the  scope  and  intensity  of  political  cooperation  through  enhanced  political 

dialogue; 

•  the opportunity for convergence of economic legislation, the opening of economies to each 
other,  and  the  continued  reduction  of  trade  barriers,  which  will  stimulate  investment  and 
growth; 

•  increased financial support: the EU will grant additional financial assistance to Morocco to 
support implementation of the Association Agreement  and of the  operations identified in 
the  Action  Plan.  The  EIB  will  also  help  support  infrastructure  investment  and  private 
sector development and partnership through the FEMIP facility. The Commission will be 
proposing a new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), which will 
also  cover  the  key  issue  of  cross-border  and  transnational  cooperation  between  Morocco 
and  the  EU  so  as  to  promote  integration  and  economic  and  social  cohesion  and  lessen 
development gaps between regions; 

•  the  possibility  of  gradually  opening  access  to  or  increasing  participation  in  certain 
Community fora and programmes, particularly in the areas covered by the Action Plan; 

•  support,  including  targeted  technical  assistance  and  twinning  schemes,  with  a  view  to 

approximation with EU legislation in the areas covered by the Action Plan; 

•  deepening trade and economic relations; 

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•  establishing a constructive dialogue on visa issues between the EU and Morocco, including 

the examination of visa facilitation in compliance with the acquis; 

•  enhanced  direct  cooperation  between  administrations  participating  in  institutionalised 

thematic subcommittees. 

In light of the fulfilment of the objectives of this Action Plan and of the overall evolution of 
EU-Morocco  relations,  consideration  will  be  given  to  the  possibility  of  a  new  contractual 
relationship.  The  Commission  has  suggested  that  this  could  take  the  form  of  a  European 
Neighbourhood  Agreement.  Morocco  has  indicated  its  support  for  the  Commission's 
suggestion.  The  advisability  of  any  new  contractual  arrangement  will  be  considered  in  due 
time in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy.  

Priority actions 

This  Action  Plan  sets  out  a  comprehensive  set  of  priorities  in  areas  within  the  scope  of  the 
Association  Agreement  which  also  reflect  the  Moroccan  Government's  priorities.  Among 
these priorities, particular attention should be given to: 

•  pursuing legislative reform and applying international human rights provisions; 

•  enhanced  political  dialogue  on  the  CFSP  and  ESDP  and  enhanced  cooperation  on 

combating terrorism;  

•  negotiation of an agreement on liberalising trade in services; 

•  the  development  of  a  climate  conducive  to  foreign  direct  investment,  growth  and 

sustainable development; 

•  cooperation  on  social  policy  with  the  aim  of  reducing  poverty  and  vulnerability  and 

creating jobs; 

•  support  for  the  education  and  training  system,  scientific  research  and  information 

technologies as crucial factors in the country's economic development; 

•  effective  management  of  migration  flows,  including  the  signing  of  a  readmission 
agreement  with  the  European  Community,  and  facilitating  the  movement  of  persons  in 
accordance  with  the  acquis,  particularly  by  examining  the  possibilities  for  relaxing  the 
formalities for certain jointly agreed categories of persons to obtain short-stay visas; 

•  development of the transport sector based on safety, security and reinforcement of national 
and regional infrastructures and their inter-connection with the Trans-European Transport 
Network (TEN-T); 

•  development  of  the  energy  sector,  including  inter-connections  and  infrastructure  under 
optimal  safety,  competitiveness  and  quality  conditions;  integration  of  the  Moroccan 
electricity  market  into  the  European  electricity  market,  pursuant  to  the  Memorandum  of 
Understanding  (Rome,  2  December  2003)  on  the  gradual  integration  of  the  electricity 
markets of the Maghreb countries into the EU's internal electricity market. 

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Progress  in  meeting  the  priorities  contained  in  the  Action  Plan  will  be  jointly  monitored  in 
subcommittees established by the Association Agreement. On this basis, the EU and Morocco 
will  review  the  content  of  the  Action  Plan  and  decide  on  any  adaptations  and  updates 
required.  In  the  light  of  a  review  of  the  implementation  of  the  Action  Plan,  the  EU  and 
Morocco  may  after  three  years  decide  on  the  next  step  in  the  development  of  bilateral 
relations,  including  the  possibility  of  new  contractual  links.  This  could  take  the  form  of  a 
European Neighbourhood Agreement whose scope will be defined in the light of progress in 
meeting the priorities set out in the Action Plan. 

2. Actions 

2.1. Political dialogue and reforms 

Democracy and the rule of law 

(1) 

Consolidate  the  administrative  bodies  responsible  for  reinforcing  respect  for 
democracy and the rule of law 

Short term 

–  Exchange  experience  and  know-how  in  relation  to  development  of  the  regulatory 

framework governing political parties; 

–  strengthen the Administration's capacity, in particular by supporting implementation of the 
Law  on  the  formal  motivation  of  administrative  acts  of  public  administrations,  local 
authorities and public institutions; 

–  continue  efforts  towards  decentralisation  and  enhancing  the  powers  of  local  authorities 
through  support  for  the  new  National  Planning  Charter  (“Charte  sur  l'Aménagement  du 
Territoire”). 

Medium term 

–  Ensure implementation of local authority reform. 

(2) 

Step up efforts to facilitate access to justice and the law 

–  simplify judicial procedures, including shortening the length of procedures, trials and the 

enforcement of judgements and improving legal assistance; 

–  support  for  family  courts  within  the  courts  of  first  instance  in  order  to  support  the 

provisions of the new family code; 

–  support for youth justice as part of the reform of the new criminal code; 

–  pursue  the  national  plan  for  modernising  the  prison  administration,  in  particular  the 

elements dealing with training, reintegration and protection of prisoners' rights; 

–  training of judges and other court staff; 

–  continue the MEDA programme on “Modernising law courts in Morocco”. 

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(3) 

Cooperation in tackling corruption 

Short term 

–  Follow-up the conclusions of the “justice and security” sub-committee; 

–  exchange information on respective laws and international instruments; 

–  assistance  in  the  application  of  the  measures  provided  for  in  the  UN  Convention; 

international cooperation. 

Medium term 

–  Strengthen and support the implementation of a national anti-corruption strategy, including 
training expert anti-corruption services, applying a code of conduct and public awareness-
raising campaigns. 

Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms 

(4) 

Ensure  the  protection  of  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms  according  to 
international standards 

Short term 

–  Start  discussions  within  the  sub-committee  on  human  rights,  democratisation  and 

governance; 

–  examine the possibility of reviewing the opt-outs with regard to international human rights 

conventions; 

–  pursue  legislative  reforms  with  a  view  to  implementation  of  international  human  rights 

legislation, including the basic UN conventions and their optional protocols; 

–  examine  the  possibility  of  accession  to  the  optional  protocols  to  the  international  human 

rights conventions to which Morocco is party; 

–  finalise the national human rights action plan and support its implementation; 

–  strengthen  dialogue  on  human  rights  at  all  levels,  including  in  the  Fairness  and 

Reconciliation Commission; 

–  promote cultural and linguistic rights of all peoples of the Moroccan nation; 

–  continue the reform of criminal law with a view to introduction of a definition of torture in 

line with that of the UN Convention against Torture. 

(5) 

Freedoms of association and expression 

–  ensure implementation of the law on freedom of association and of assembly in accordance 
with the relevant clauses of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; 

–  exchange experience and know-how in relation to development of the Press Code; 

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–  support the new law liberalising the audiovisual sector and cooperation in the sector. 

(6) 

Further promote and protect the rights of women and children 

–  Apply the recent reforms of the Family Code; 

–  combat  discrimination  and  violence  against  women  pursuant  to  the  United  Nations 

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; 

–  consolidate children's rights pursuant to the Convention on the rights of the child; 

–  promote the role of women in social and economic progress (Art. 71 AA); 

–  protection of pregnant women in the workplace. 

Fundamental social rights and core labour standards 

(7) 

Implement fundamental social rights and core labour standards 

–  Initiate dialogue on fundamental social rights and core labour standards so as to provide a 
situation analysis and identify potential challenges and measures, in particular in the light 
of the 1998 ILO Declaration. 

Regional  and  international  issues,  cooperation  on  external  relations  and  security 
questions, conflict prevention and crisis management 

(8) 

Strengthen  political  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  foreign  and  security  policy  and 
other subjects of common interest 

–  Pursue  enhanced,  structured  and  regular  Morocco-EU  strategic  policy  dialogue  covering 
internal  developments  in  both  parties,  Mediterranean,  African,  regional  and  international 
issues and other matters of common interest;  

–  develop and enhance this bilateral policy dialogue with a view to strengthening ties based 
on  active  solidarity  between  the  two  parties  and  allowing  their  positions  and  reciprocal 
interests to be taken into account; 

–  cooperate  to  make  multilateral  institutions  and  conventions  more  effective,  so  as  to 
reinforce global governance, strengthen coordination on initiatives for combating security 
threats and address related development issues; 

–  promote  a  regular  political  dialogue  on  the  non-proliferation  of  weapons  of  mass 

destruction and their means of delivery. 

(9) 

Strengthen  cooperation  on  regional  and  international  cooperation  issues,  conflict 
prevention and crisis management 

–  Participate  actively  in  political  dialogue  and  the  Euro-Mediterranean  exchange  of 
information on the ESDP at the level of the PSC and the Senior officials group for political 
and security cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership; 

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–  continue  exchanges  of  information  on  the  ESDP  with  the  Council  Secretariat  and  the 

Commission using the established points of contact; 

–  take  part,  as  appropriate,  in  training  and  activities  relating  to  conflict  prevention, 
management  of  crises  and  natural  disasters,  civil  protection  and  possible  participation  in 
EU-led civil and military peacekeeping exercises and operations; 

–  discuss the possibility of relaunching talks on the Euro-Mediterranean Peace and Stability 

Charter; 

–  contribute to UN regional conflict resolution efforts. 

(10)  Continue to develop cooperation on combating terrorism 

–  Strengthen  EU-Moroccan  cooperation  in  the  fight  against  and  prevention  of  terrorism,  in 
particular  through  implementation  of  the  initiatives  identified  in  this  Action  Plan  which 
will be discussed in the relevant subcommittees; 

–  develop EU/Morocco cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism, including through the 
full  implementation  of  UNSC  Resolutions  1373/01  and  1267/99  and  through  the 
ratification and implementation of all relevant international conventions and protocols on 
terrorism.  Exchange  views,  information  and  experience  on  combating  terrorism  with  a 
view to improving the capacity to combat terrorism; 

–  implementation of the legislation on the fight against financing of terrorism; 

–  ensure respect for human rights when combating terrorism. 

(11)  Continue to develop cooperation in the area of non-proliferation of weapons of mass 

destruction and illegal arms exports 

–  Co-operation on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery 
and ballistic missiles, including through implementing UNSC resolution 1540/04, ensuring 
full compliance with and national implementation of existing multilateral obligations and 
promoting the accession to and compliance with other relevant instruments in this area 

–  Further develop co-operation in the prevention of and fight against the illicit trafficking of 

WMD-related materials 

–  Co-operation  on  establishing  effective  systems  of  national  export  control,  controlling 
export  and  transit  of  WMD-related  goods,  including  WMD  end-use  control  on  dual  use 
technologies, and effective sanctions for breaches of export controls 

–  Improve  overall  co-ordination  in  the  non-proliferation  area,  and  examine  specific  threats 
related  to  WMD  which  undermine  regional  security  and  the  scope  for  co-operation  in 
addressing them 

–  Promote the relevant provisions of the political and security partnership of the Barcelona 
Declaration, in particular those relating to weapons of mass destruction, in a balanced and 
incremental way 

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Regional cooperation and initiatives 

(12) 

Support implementation of regional integration initiatives and projects 

–  Identify and actively promote joint projects in technical fields such as energy, transport, IT 

and migration; 

–  promote  intra-regional  economic  and  trade  integration,  particularly  within  the  Agadir 

process; 

–  step  up  cooperation  within  the  Maghreb  regional  institutions,  the  5+5  Forum,  the 

Mediterranean Forum and the Africa-Europe Summit. 

2.2. Economic and social reform and development 

Macroeconomic framework 

(13)  Consolidate  progress  made  with  a  view  to  improving  macroeconomic  indicators  to 

promote growth and development 

–  consolidate the stability of the macroeconomic framework; 

–  control the budget deficit at sustainable levels; 

–  exchange  experience  and  know-how  with  a  view  to  assessing  and  monitoring  the  budget 

impact of tax expenditures;  

–  exchange views on the advisability of more flexible exchange-rate rules to accompany the 

process of gradual capital account liberalisation. 

Structural reform and progress toward a functioning and competitive market economy 

(14) 

Improve the performance and competitiveness of the Moroccan economy  

–  Continue to modernise the financial system, particularly the public banks, and reinforce the 

non-bank sector (insurance, pensions); 

–  implement  the  new  statute  of  the  Central  Bank and  strengthen  its  supervisory  role  in  the 

context of a more integrated financial system. 

Reforms in the agriculture sector 

(15)  Ensure the introduction of a coherent agricultural policy (including sustainable rural 
development  measures  and  product  quality  policy)  with  the  aim  of  convergence 
towards the necessary conditions for establishment of a Morocco-EU free trade area; 

Promote  the  dissemination  and  exchange  of  information  on  agricultural  policies  and 
contribute to the transfer of know-how and experience: 

–  improve agricultural structures and marketing chains, 

–  develop and improve rural infrastructure, 

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–  diversification of rural economic activities, 

–  development and promotion of quality products, 

–  private-sector investment incentives, 

–  research on improvements in productivity and quality, 

–  introduction of socio-economic measures to accompany the various reforms, 

–  support the introduction of sectoral agricultural policy reforms, 

–  support land tenure reform. 

Cooperation on employment and social policy 

(16) 

Implement  Articles  69  to  72  of  the  Association  Agreement  and  align  Moroccan 
legislation with EU standards and practices in the social and employment sectors. 

Short term 

–  Pursue  the  dialogue  on  employment  and  social  policy  with  a  view  to  developing  a  joint 
analysis of the situation and identifying challenges and possible responses (social dialogue, 
labour  law,  gender  equality,  health  and  safety  at  work,  employment  policy,  social 
protection and inclusion); 

–  pursue  the  dialogue  on  living  conditions  of  Moroccan  workers  and  their  families  legally 
resident  in  the  EU  with  a  view  to  identifying  ways  and  means  of  achieving  progress  on 
equal treatment and improving social integration; 

–  pursue  the  dialogue  on  improving  the  exchange  of  information  on  programmes  and 
initiatives  to  facilitate  social  inclusion,  the  integration  of  disadvantaged  groups  in  the 
labour market and combating discrimination and xenophobia;  

–  ensure  equality  for  men  and  women,  including  in  the  field  of  employment;  promote  the 

role of women in social and economic progress; cooperate on combating child labour; 

–  health  and  safety  in  the  workplace:  prevention  of  occupational  risks:  extension  of 
occupational health services in line with new legislation; support for the implementation of 
the ILO's conventions on the use of benzene and asbestos. 

–  foster  cooperation  on  social  security  schemes  (exchanges  of  experience,  support  for  the 
reform  and  implementation  of  social  protection  systems,  in  particular  compulsory  health 
insurance and pension schemes); 

Medium term 

–  Labour  law:  support  the  implementation  of  the  new  provisions  of  the  Labour  Code. 
Continue  the  adoption  of  implementing  decrees  for  the  new  Labour  Code  and  support 
implementation  of 
information  and 
communication programmes and institutional capacity-building in the labour inspectorate; 

the  assistance  of 

the  Code,  with 

training, 

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–  approximation of Moroccan legislation to the extent possible with Community standards in 

the social sector; 

–  pursue social dialogue at all levels (bipartite and tripartite). 

Regional and local development 

(17)  Ensure  more  harmonious  development  and  a  better  distribution  of  resources  in  the 

various regions of the country and combat poverty in urban and rural areas 

Medium term 

–  Support  the  implementation  of  policies  for  the  reduction  of  social  inequalities  and  to 

combat poverty and vulnerability; 

–  continue work on implementation of the new Decentralisation Charter; 

–  cooperate  on  combating  poverty  and  support  improvements  to  the  living  conditions  of 
disadvantaged  groups  by  developing  basic  social  and  economic  infrastructures,  including 
population stabilisation measures in areas of migration potential; 

–  support  activities  that  generate  revenue  and  create  opportunities  for  permanent  jobs  via 
economic projects for vulnerable groups that find it difficult to integrate in working life; 

–  strengthen safety nets by funding local projects. 

Sustainable development 

(18)  Promotion of sustainable development 

–  Complete the establishment of administrative structures and procedures to ensure strategic 

planning of sustainable development and coordination between the various actors; 

–  exchange of views and experience on implementation of Morocco's long-term sustainable 

development strategy; 

–  promote  measures  to  integrate  environmental  considerations  into  other  policy  sectors: 

industry, energy, transport, agriculture and regional policies. 

2.3. Trade, market and regulatory reform 

2.3.1 Movement of goods 

Trade relations 

(19) 

Implementation of the undertakings in the AA, Title II (Free movement of goods) 

Short term 

–  Monitor  issues  concerned  with  the  trade  sector  of  the  EU-Morocco  Association 
Agreement,  in  particular  regarding  tariff  and  non-tariff  aspects  of  the  reciprocal 
elimination of restrictions on the import and export of industrial products; 

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–  continue work on the application of the Combined Nomenclature; 

–  continue and extend liberalisation of trade in goods;  

–  train staff and build administrative capacity in international trade; 

–  implement the new protocol on Pan Euro-Mediterranean origin cumulation. 

(20)  Contribute to the creation of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area 

Medium term 

–  Conclude  and  implement  free  trade  agreements  with  the  Mediterranean  partners  at 

regional, intra-regional or bilateral level; 

–  initiate discussions on tightening procedural rules for settling trade disputes; 

–  continue  the  liberalisation  of  agricultural  products  and  processed  agricultural  products  in 
accordance  with  reform  policies,  and  in  particular  with  Article  10  of  the  Association 
Agreement; 

–  initiate talks on the gradual liberalisation of fishery products. 

Customs 

(21)  Modernisation  and  capacity-building  of  customs  services,  alignment  of  customs 

legislation with international and EU standards 

Short term 

–  Continue  implementation  of  the  recommendations  on  trade  facilitation  adopted  by  Trade 

Ministers at the Euro-Mediterranean conference in Palermo, July 2003; 

–  exchange experience and know-how with a view to the possible development of customs 

controls on imports and exports of pirated or counterfeit goods; 

–  provide  for  internal  and  external  training  on  the  application  of  the  new  protocol  on  Pan 

Euro-Mediterranean origin cumulation; 

–  develop mutual administrative assistance to combat irregularities and fraud in the customs 

field. 

Medium term 

–  Legislative alignment of customs controls on psychotropic substances, dual-use goods and 

cultural goods; 

–  provide training for customs staff, including the area of customs valuation; 

–  continue working towards integrated management with other border agencies (Ports: ports 
authority,  health  and  veterinary  services,  national  shipping  company,  national  security. 
Airports: airports authority, national carrier; national security). 

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(22)  Cooperation on securing the international supply chain 

–  Develop cooperation with regard to customs controls based on risk analysis to ensure the 

safety and security of import, export and transit flows; 

–  discuss  the  definition  of  criteria  for  the  certification  of  operators  (exporters  and 

transporters). 

Technical  regulations,  standards  and  conformity  assessment  procedures 
harmonised areas) 

(EU 

(23)  Facilitate access to the market for industrial products. Bring Moroccan legislation on 
industrial  products  further  into  line  with  international  and  European  rules  and 
practices 

Short term 

–  Pursue implementation of the Palermo action plan for the approximation of legislation on 

standards, technical regulation and conformity assessment; 

–  identify  priority  sectors  and  analyse  the  applicable  Community  legislation,  thus 

highlighting discrepancies with existing national legislation; 

–  strengthen  the  institutions  responsible  for  standardisation,  conformity  assessment, 
metrology and market supervision by means, in particular, of exchanges of information and 
know-how  and,  as  far  as  possible,  their  incorporation  into  European  and  international 
structures. 

Medium term 

–  Bring national standards into line with European and international standards for industrial 

products and abolish national standards that are at odds with them; 

–  adopt  a  programme  for  the  harmonisation  of  conformity  assessment  legislation  and 

procedures and implement the necessary framework and sectoral legislation; 

–  carry out the requisite reforms of national structures; 

–  negotiate an agreement on conformity assessment and the acceptance of industrial products 
(ACAA)  in  sectors  of  common  interest  where  the  legislation  is  applied  to  the  same 
standards as in the European Union; 

–  raise the awareness of economic operators; 

–  continue training activities. 

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Elimination of restrictions, streamlined administration (EU non-harmonised areas) 

(24)  Facilitate the movement of goods and improve administrative cooperation 

Short term 

–  Prevent discriminatory measures and ensure that interested parties have an opportunity to 

raise identified problems  

Medium term 

–  Ensure there is a contact point dealing with implementation of the movement of goods who 

could also facilitate information flows and exchanges of information with operators; 

–  screen  Moroccan  legislation  on  product  composition,  labelling,  manufacture  and 

description to bring it into line with the existing EU general rules; 

–  facilitate trade by eliminating existing non-tariff barriers. 

Health and plant health issues 

(25) 

Improve  the  health  safety  of  food  for  consumers  and  facilitate  trade  in  agricultural 
products with the EU 

Short and medium term: 

–  Exchange  know-how  and  experience  on  upgrading  food  legislation,  including  the 

preparation of guides to food hygiene best practices; 

–  cooperation  with  a  view  to  strengthening  animal,  plant  and  food  health  supervisory 

structures, including laboratories; 

–  pursue  implementation  of  the  obligations  arising  from  the  WTO  agreement  on  the 
application  of  sanitary  and  phytosanitary  (SPS)  measures  and  active  participation  in  the 
work  of 
international  organisations  (IOE,  IPPC/EPPO,  Codex 
Alimentarius); 

the  corresponding 

–  progressive  approximation  to  EU  veterinary  and  phytosanitary  rules  (e.g.  the  general 
guidelines  for  the  authorities  of  third  countries  on  the  procedures  to  be  followed  for  the 
import of live animals and animal products into the EU); 

–  take  the  first  steps  towards  the  establishment  of  an  animal  identification  and  traceability 

system (in particular for sheep and goats) and continue the procedure for bovines; 

–  convergence towards progressive application of rules on food hygiene and food safety in 

agricultural and food production and on the labelling of food products; 

–  regulate  and, 

if  necessary,  ban 

including 
phytopharmaceuticals,  without  creating  unnecessary  barriers  to  trade,  and  introduce 
schemes  to  monitor  residues  of  pharmaceuticals  in  animals,  products  of  animal  origin, 
plant products, food products and animal feed; 

sale  of  certain 

substances, 

the 

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–  step  up  efforts  to  progressively  eradicate  rabies  and  other  major  animal  diseases  in 
Morocco,  including  foot-and-mouth  disease  and  sheep  pox,  on  the  basis  of  a  detailed 
analysis of the local situation; 

–  establish  a  phytosanitary  statute  with  regard  to  the  organisms  mentioned  in  Directive 

2000/29/EC; implement equivalent control measures, if necessary; 

–  examine  the  possibility  of  cooperation  under  the  early  warning  system  (Regulation  (EC) 

178/2002); 

–  establish and develop a national institute of food safety; 

–  step  up  epidemio-surveillance  of  emerging  animal  diseases  (Rift  Valley  Fever,  Crimean-
Congo Fever and West Nile Fever) and introduce measures to monitor BSE and emergency 
plans for the animal diseases on the IOE'S A list. 

2.3.2. Right of establishment, company law and services 

Right of establishment and company law 

(26)  Continue  efforts  to  liberalise  establishment  and  foreign  investment  (other  than 

establishment in the services sector) 

(a) Establishment 

–  Continue efforts to promote a suitable environment for companies; 

–  continue the screening of Moroccan legislation on establishment so as to identify barriers 
to  establishment  with  a  view  to  widening  the  scope  of  the  Association  Agreement  in 
relation to establishment; 

–  extend  the  scope  of  the  Association  Agreement  to  include  companies'  right  of 
establishment  in  the  territory  of  the  other  party  on  the  basis  of  the  review  clause  in 
Article 31 AA; 

–  exchange information and know-how on simplifying procedures. 

b) Company law: 

–  Work towards convergence with key principles of international and EU rules and standards 

in company law; 

–  promote a high-quality audit profession; 

–  modernise  the  business  register  and  the  system  of  publicity  in  the  official  gazette  for 

informing third parties; 

–  start discussions on a Code of Corporate Governance. 

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Services 

(27)  Gradual liberalisation of trade in services between Morocco and the European Union 

–  Screen  Moroccan  legislation  with  a  view  to  conclusion  of  an  agreement  on  trade  in 

services; 

–  under the Palermo action plan: 

–  contribute to finalisation of the Euromed services protocol 

–  open  bilateral  negotiations  on  services  on  the  basis  of  Article  31  of  the 

Association Agreement in accordance with Article V GATS; 

–  exchange  experience  and  know-how  on  general  or  sectoral  legislation  with  a  view  to 

convergence with the EU's regulatory framework; 

–  exchange experience to promote the development of e-commerce; 

–  exchange  experience  and  know-how  in  order  to  build  capacity  for  evaluating  trade  in 

services. 

Financial services: 

With reference to the FSAP recommendations: 

–  develop  a  regulatory  framework  for  the  supervision  of  financial  markets  converging 

towards the EU's;  

–  reinforce  the  prerogatives  of  the  financial  market  supervisory  authorities  in  accordance 

with international standards. 

2.3.3 Capital movements and current payments 

(28)  Pursue  implementation  of  the  strategy  for  gradual  capital  account  liberalisation 

taking account of progress on the following: 

–  reinforcement the sound basis of the financial sector and accelerate the pace of reforms in 

this area; 

–  improvement the efficiency and credibility of financial supervision; 

–  consolidation sustainability of external accounts; 

–  consolidation the stability of the macroeconomic framework; 

–  guaranteeing  of  protection  of  foreign  investment  as  well  as  liquidation  or  repatriation  of 

these investments and of any profits stemming therefrom; 

–  exchange of information on existing restrictions on the capital account. 

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Medium term 

–  Pursue  consultations  on  facilitating  full  liberalisation  of  capital  movements  once  the 

necessary conditions are met according to Article 34 of the Association Agreement. 

2.3.4 Movement of persons, particularly workers, and coordination of social security 

(29)  Full  implementation  of  commitments  under  Articles  64-67  of  the  Association 

Agreement 

–  Ensure  full  application  of  the  clause  on  equal  treatment  irrespective  of  nationality  as 

regards working conditions, remuneration and dismissal; 

–  ensure full application of the clause on non-discrimination in the area of social security for 

workers and members of their families; 

–  adopt a decision in the Association Council concerning the implementation of Article 65 

on the coordination of social security systems. 

2.3.5 Other key areas 

Taxation 

(30)  Define  and  implement  a  tax  system  and  its  institutions  based  on  international  and 

European standards as part of the tax reform programme 

–  Complete,  where  appropriate,  the  network  of  bilateral  agreements  between  Morocco  and 

EU Member States on avoidance of double taxation; 

–  pursue consolidation of tax legislation and its alignment on international standards, with a 

particular view to avoiding double taxation in the VAT system; 

–  pursue the process of modernising the tax administration; 

–  initiate a dialogue on the principles of the EU Code of Conduct for business taxation with a 
view  to  ensuring  fair  conditions  for  Morocco  during  its  process  of  integration  into  the 
internal market. 

Competition policy 

Short term 

(31)  Adopt the implementing provisions of Article 36(3) of the Association Agreement  

–  Implementation of the Association Council decision on the competition rules implementing 

legislation, including exchanges of experience and know-how with a view to: 

–  building administrative capacity for the enforcement of competition law, and 

–  identifying possible competition measures (market analysis techniques, conduct of 

competition investigations, merger control, dealing with disputes). 

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(32) 

Implement  and  consolidate  commitments  made  on  competition  (Article  36  of  the 
Association  Agreement)  and  develop  legislation  and  a  enforcement  mechanism 
compatible with those in the EU 

–  Ensure the right of appeal to independent courts against anti-trust decisions and ensure the 

specialised training of judges dealing with competition cases. 

(33) 

Implement commitments made under Articles 37 and 38 of the Association Agreement 

–  Cooperate  on  reinforcing  competition  bodies,  particularly  as  regards  their  administrative 

capacity and decision-making powers; 

–  assess  the  implementation  of  the  current  Moroccan  legislative  framework,  including 

respect for the principles of non-discrimination, transparency and procedural fairness. 

State aid 

(34)  To facilitate Morocco's participation in the internal market, which will require prior 
compliance with the Community acquis in the area of State aid, in the first stage it is 
proposed to: 

–  exchange  information  on  State  aid,  based  on  a  jointly  agreed  definition,  with  a  view  to 

implementing Article 36(4)(b) of the Association Agreement; 

–  exchange experience and know-how on the conditions to be met with reference to State aid 

distorting competition. 

Consumer protection 

(35)  Cooperation in the field of consumer protection 

–  Exchange of experience and know-how on enforcing Moroccan consumer protection law. 

–  In  the  framework  of  the  relevant  sub-committee,  discuss  measures  accompanying  the 
establishment  and  strengthening  of  administrative  capacity  for  the  implementation  of 
consumer protection rules, and the scope for encouraging Moroccan consumer protection 
organisations to integrate with European networks in this field.  

Intellectual and industrial property rights 

(36)  Ensure  a  level  of  protection  similar  to  that  of  the  EU  and  strengthen  the  effective 
application  of  these  provisions  in  accordance  with  Article  39  of  the  Association 
Agreement. 

Short term 

–  Reinforce  administrative  cooperation  between  relevant  Moroccan  and  third  country 

authorities; 

–  Improve monitoring (administrative and judicial) structures for registration and granting of 
rights  as  well  as  rights  management,  including  an  opposition  system  for  trademarks  and 
preliminary examination for patents; 

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–  explore enhanced links with the European Patent Office; 

–  increase resources dedicated to enforcement, in particular for the customs authorities and 
the  judicial  system.  Accede  to  the  main  international  agreements  -  including  the 
conventions specified in Article 39 of the Association Agreement - and apply the highest 
international standards (Article 39). 

Medium term 

–  Build  the  capacity  of  the  relevant  bodies,  e.g.  the  Moroccan  Industrial  and  Commercial 

Property Office and the Moroccan Copyright Bureau; 

–  Explore enhanced interaction with other Euromed partners. 

–  gradually strengthen the level of protection in order to reach a level comparable with the 

EU's.  

Public procurement 

(37)  Develop  conditions  for  the  open,  competitive  award  of  public  contracts,  in  line  with 

Article 41 of the Association Agreement 

–  Consolidate  (including 

legislative  or  regulatory 
amendments) the process of reforms guaranteeing openness, transparency, information for 
the parties concerned and competition;  

the  use  of  appropriate 

through 

–  complete  the  system  of  judicial  review  by  means  of  a  system  of  amicable  settlement  of 

disputes relating to contract implementation; 

–  take  as  much  account  as  possible  of  the  principle  of  non-discrimination  with  a  view  to 
reciprocal  and  gradual  liberalisation  in  accordance  with  Article  41  of  the  Association 
Agreement; 

–  improve reciprocal access to each other's procurement markets; 

–  exchanges of experience and know-how on: 

–  introducing amicable dispute settlement procedures; 

–  modernising  administrative  and  management  procedures  (including  certifying 

authorities, development of new technologies, new procurement methods) 

Statistics 

(38)  Pursue  the  approximation  of  statistical  methods  to  bring  them  fully  into  line  with 
European  standards  applicable  to  the  sectors  concerned  under  Article  60  of  the 
Association Agreement 

–  Devise  a  short-  and  medium-term  strategy  for  harmonisation  with  European  and 

international standards in the relevant statistical areas; 

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–  continue  harmonisation  efforts  to  ensure  that  foreign  trade  statistics  are  compatible  with 
EU  best  practice  (provisional  declarations,  statistical  coverage  of  the  Tangier  free  zone, 
temporary admission and inward processing, etc.); 

–  improve the quality and coverage of the business register database; 

–  improve  the  quality  and  concepts  of  short-  and  medium-term  indicators  and  develop 

macroeconomic analysis; 

–  pursue  technical  cooperation  by  reference  to  the  methodological  developments  necessary 

for the introduction of a system of foreign trade statistics aligned on the EU's; 

–  implement a programme for aligning methods on compiling statistics on trade in services. 

Management and control of public finances 

(39)  Continue development of sound management of public finances 

–  Build capacity in the management of public expenditure; 

–  develop information systems on the management of public expenditure; 

–  exchange experience and know-how with a view to gradual approximation to international 
standards  and  methodologies  (IFAC,  IIA,  INTOSAI)  and  EU  best  practice  in  the  area  of 
control and audit of public revenue and expenditure; 

–  initiate discussion on modernising the State accounting system; 

–  develop financial and accounting transparency, exchange experience and know-how. 

(40) 

Strengthen internal financial control in the public sector 

–  Enhance the audit capacity of public finance control bodies, e.g. the Inspectorate General 

of Finance (IGF); 

–  adapt  the  legislative  and  regulatory  framework  of  the  IGF  to  the  new  accounting  and 

financial context; 

–  finalise the project for developing IGF audit standards by reference to international audit 

standards; 

–  improve the effectiveness of controls and audits of regularity; 

–  arrange exchanges of experience and know-how between Moroccan public finance control 

and audit bodies and their EU counterparts; 

–  introduce  legislation  on  the  accountability  of  management  (authorising  officers), 

controllers and accountants in the public sector; 

–  implement the legislation on State financial control of State-owned enterprises. 

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(41)  External  audit:  develop  contacts  between  the  Commission  and  the  State  finances 

external audit body. 

Enterprise policy 

(42) 

Improve the climate and conditions for the development of competitive businesses and 
investment promotion 

–  Implement  the  strategy  approved  in  Rome  in  October  2003  by  the  Euro-Med  industrial 

cooperation working party. 

Short term 

–  Adopt  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Enterprise  Charter,  identify  measures  to  stimulate 
entrepreneurship  and  competitiveness  by  simplifying  the  administrative  rules,  promoting 
SMEs'  access  to  funding,  education  and  training,  promoting  innovation  and  business 
support services; 

–  develop the EU-Morocco dialogue on enterprise policy and exchange of best practices; 

–  develop  the  dialogue  on  industrial  policy,  in  relation  in  particular  to  the  textiles/clothing 

sector. 

Medium term 

–  Implement the Euro-Mediterranean Enterprise Charter; 

–  involve  Morocco  in  EU  guidelines  and  initiatives  in  order  to  boost  competitiveness  and 

innovation, including in the tourism and crafts sectors; 

–  improve the strategy and policies for supporting and financing SMEs; 

–  continue  implementation  of  the  national  programme  for  the  development  of  industrial 
infrastructure  zoning  and  identify  possible  cooperation  initiatives  (e.g.  industry  parks, 
zones, technology parks, business incubators/hatcheries); 

–  rationalisation  and  simplification  of  administrative  procedures.  Establishment  of  a 

business-friendly environment and appropriate legal guarantees for investments. 

Cross-border cooperation 

(43)  Reconfirm the interest shown in cross-border cooperation, including cooperation with 
the outermost regions of the EU, as mentioned in the Commission communication of 
24 May 2004 

Postal sector 

(44)  Reform of the postal sector to ensure that the post office can continue to play its role 

as a means of communication and exchange promoting economic and social progress 

–  Support reform of the regulatory framework and its standardisation in line with Morocco's 

international commitments; 

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–  integrate information technologies into the postal service and use the service as a means of 

spreading such technology to Moroccan society; 

–  step up exchanges between the Moroccan postal service and services in EU Member States 

(EU + UPU). 

Mining 

(45) 

Step up cooperation on development of the mining sector 

–  Exchange  information,  experience  and  know-how  on  small-scale  mining  development, 
mining  operations,  environmental  protection,  restoration  of  mining  sites  after  mine 
closures and the establishment of explosives laboratories. 

2.4. Cooperation on justice and home affairs 

Migration (legal and illegal, re-admission, visas, asylum) 

(46)  Develop  legislation  in  accordance  with  international  principles  and  standards  on 

asylum and refugees. Implementation of the relevant UN Conventions. 

–  Implementation  of  the  principles  of  the  1951  Geneva  Convention  and  its  1967  protocol, 
e.g.  with  regard  to  the  deadlines  for  application,  the  principle  of  non-refoulement, 
obtaining and keeping refugee status and processing manifestly unfounded applications; 

–  Sharing of EU experience and know-how in implementing the 1951 Convention in national 

legislation; 

–  development of appropriate administrative infrastructure to process and follow up asylum 
applications through cooperation, in particular as regards training for the staff concerned. 

(47)  Ensuring the effective management of migration flows 

–  Continue  the  exchange  of  information  on  legal  migration  in  the  context  of  existing 
structures,  in  particular  in  the  “Migration  and  social  affairs”  working  party:  inventory  of 
existing  routes  and  commitments  made  by  Member  States;  ways  of  managing  legal 
migration; 

–  information campaigns in Morocco on legal migration opportunities to the EU (including 
family  reunification,  equal  treatment  for  and  integration  of  migrants)  and  on  the  risks  of 
illicit  migration  and,  in  Europe,  information  campaigns  on  the  positive  aspects  of 
migration; 

–  transit migration: discussions on the opportunities for cooperation with countries of origin 
and  transit;  information  campaigns  in  the  countries  of  origin;  accompanying  measures; 
trilateral  and  multilateral  projects  with  a  view  to  synergies  between  migration  and 
development, including through application of Article 13 of the Cotonou Agreement; 

–  observation and analysis of the phenomenon of migration: synergies with the EUROMED 

migration research and observation project; 

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–  allow  Morocco  to  benefit  from  the  possibilities  offered  by  the  EU  programmes  on 

migration; 

–  EU  support  for  effective  management  of  migration  flows  paying  attention  to  the  human 

dimension, socioeconomic aspects and accompanying measures. 

(48)  Prevent and combat illegal migration to and via Morocco 

–  Exchange information and dialogue on illegal migration; practical support for activities to 

prevent illegal migration; 

–  assistance in implementing the strategy to combat illegal immigration, in particular through 

cooperation with the Migration and Border Surveillance Directorate; 

–  develop a regional cooperation formula for the prevention of illegal migration; 

–  EU  action  upstream  with  regard  to  countries  of  transit  and  origin  and  implementation  of 

the ACP agreements, in particular regarding readmission. 

(49) 

Improve cooperation with regard to the readmission of Moroccan nationals, stateless 
persons and nationals of third countries 

–  Conclusion  and  implementation  of  a  balanced  agreement  on  readmission  with  the 

European Community. 

(50) 

Initiate dialogue on visa issues 

–  Develop cooperation in the area of visas; 

–  in order to facilitate the movement of persons, examine, within the existing structures, the 
possibilities for facilitating, simplifying and speeding up procedures for the issue of visas 
in line with the acquis; 

–  cooperate with a view to making travel documents and visas more secure. 

Border management 

(51) 

Strengthening border management 

–  Strengthen organisational and institutional capacity for border control and surveillance of 

entry and exit areas; 

–  accelerate  implementation  of  the  four  strands  of  the  MEDA  programme  for  the 
management of border controls (€40 million - period 2004-2006): a) institutional support 
for strengthening the national strategy; b) support to staff training, c) equipment in priority 
geographical zones, d) awareness-raising among a target audience in the regions and social 
groups most affected; 

–  reinforce regional cooperation in the management of border controls. 

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Cooperation  in  combating  organised  crime  (including  the  smuggling  of  migrants  and 
trafficking in human beings) 

(52)  Ratification  and  implementation  of  international  instruments  to  combat  organised 

crime 

–  Implementation of the UN Convention of 2000 against Transnational Organised Crime and 

its accompanying protocols; 

–  develop  the  legislation  in  line  with  the  relevant  international  standards  and  instruments, 

including implementation of the new legislation adopted in November 2003. 

(53)  Develop methods to combat trafficking in human beings and to reintegrate victims of 

trafficking  

–  Enhance dialogue with a view to: 

–  developing legislation on combating the trafficking of human beings in line with 

international standards and instruments; 

–  stepping up cooperation and the exchange of information; 

–  identifying  appropriate  measures,  instruments  and  best  practices  to  combat  the 

trafficking of human beings; 

–  improving data on the nature and scale of the crime, trafficking and exploitation 
mechanisms  used  by  organised  criminal  gangs,  and  analyse  and  exchange  these 
data; 

–  devise  a  global  strategy  targeting  the  recruiters,  transporters  and  exploiters  of  victims  of 

trafficking, other intermediaries, clients and beneficiaries; 

–  support  efforts  to  help  the  most  vulnerable  groups  (women  and  children);  initiatives  to 
reduce the demand for cut-price labour and sexual services; training in counter-trafficking 
operations and identifying, saving and assisting victims; 

–  specialised training for judges, police and border officials. 

(54) 

Strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation 

–  Support implementation of counter-terrorism legislation and related UN resolutions;  

–  special training; 

–  strengthen cooperation on measures to tackle the financing of terrorism; 

–  develop cooperation between counter-terrorism agencies; 

–  develop judicial cooperation on combating terrorism. 

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Drugs 

(55) 

Strengthen  efforts  to  combat  drug  trafficking  and  addiction,  in  particular  via 
prevention measures, in accordance with Article 62 of the Association Agreement and 
as part of a comprehensive, integrated approach 

–  Progressive implementation of Article 62(3) AA; 

–  improve knowledge of the phenomenon by improving the collection of data and exchange 

of information on the respective anti-drug strategies; 

–  strengthen the comprehensive national drugs strategy, including action to cut demand and 

supply and to develop the regions; 

–  launch specialised training schemes for drug law enforcement agencies; 

–  support  implementation  of  the  principles  of  the  United  Nations  Conventions  and  the 

UNGASS principles; 

–  development  and  implementation  of  prevention,  treatment  and  rehabilitation  programmes 

for drug addicts; 

–  cooperation  in  the  drafting  of  laws  on  the  diversion  of  chemical  precursors  and  other 

substances used in the production of drugs. 

Money laundering, economic and financial crimes 

(56) 

Strengthen cooperation efforts to combat money laundering 

–  Implement Article 61 of the Association Agreement; 

–  exchange  information  on  European  legislation  and  international  instruments  (particularly 
the  FATF  recommendations)  and  Moroccan  legislation  on  money  laundering  and  the 
financing of terrorism; 

–  continue the development of an effective legal framework in the field of money laundering 
and  the  financing  of  terrorism  in  accordance  with  FATF  recommendations.  Identify 
administrative/technical support and training requirements; 

–  improve the system of financial information on money laundering; 

–  exchange information on the European systems (Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)) and the 

Moroccan system; 

–  develop  a  training  programme  for  judges,  prosecutors  and  any  other  administrations 

concerned; 

–  step  up  cooperation  between  police  agencies  and  cooperation  with  international 
organisations,  e.g.  OECD-FATF  and  the  Council  of  Europe,  and  with  the  corresponding 
services in the Member States of the EU. 

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Judicial and police cooperation 

(57)  Adoption of legislation for judicial cooperation between States 

–  Sign, ratify and implement the main international conventions; 

–  step up cooperation in family law, in particular regarding parental responsibility. Analyse 

the international texts and bilateral conventions; 

–  devise concrete solutions to anticipate, manage and resolve conflicts pertaining to parental 
responsibility, in particular child abduction, e.g. easier mediation; respect for fundamental 
procedural laws (e.g. obligation to hear the child), collaboration between jurisdictions, ad 
hoc training; facilitating visiting rights). 

(58)  Continue the development of cooperation between the judicial and police authorities 

in Morocco and the Member States 

–  Survey  of  judicial  cooperation  between  Morocco  and  the  EU  and  inventory  of  best 

practices; 

–  participation  in  the  implementation  of  EUROMED  judicial  training  project  (judges, 

lawyers, court clerks); 

–  consider negotiation of a Morocco-EUROPOL agreement, including action on combating 

terrorism; 

–  participation in the implementation of EUROMED police training project (CEPOL); 

–  exchange  of  technical,  operational  and  strategic  information  between  the  EU  and  the 

Moroccan authorities dealing with organised crime; 

–  introduction of modern investigative methods. 

2.5.  Transport,  energy,  information  society,  the  environment,  science  and  technology, 
research and development 

Transport 

(59)  Continue  implementation  of  the  national  transport  policy,  including  infrastructure 

development 

–  continue  implementation  of  the  national  sustainable  transport  policy  for  the  development 
of all modes of transport and related infrastructure, focusing in particular on strengthening 
safety and security (all modes of transport); 

–  identify  and 

implement 

the  development  of 
infrastructure  to  improve  transport  capacity,  increase  trade  and  improve  transport  sector 
performance between Morocco, Maghreb countries and EU Member States; 

the  necessary  measures, 

including 

–  adopt  funding  strategies  and  the  means  to  implement  them,  including  investments  in 
infrastructure  for  projects  identified  as  priorities;  step  up  discussions  and  dialogue  on 
infrastructure funding issues. 

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Regional element 

–  Take  part  in  the  planning  exercise  in  the  context  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  regional 
transport  project  under  MEDA,  aimed  at  proposing  an  action  plan  for  transport  in  the 
countries of the Mediterranean, a basic priority network in the 12 Mediterranean countries 
and interconnection of this network with the trans-European transport network; 

–  contribute  to  the  identification  of  priority  regional  infrastructure  projects  (e.g.  trans-

Maghreb multimodal corridor); 

–  contribute  to  the  strengthening  of  transport  network  interconnections  at  regional  level,  in 
particular  as  regards  road  and  rail  networks  and  the  project  of  a  direct  link  through  the 
Gibraltar Strait; 

–  take part in the development of GNSS (Galileo) in the Mediterranean region; take part in 

particular in the new MEDA regional project on satellite navigation systems. 

(60) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the road transport sector 

–  Introduce  a  transparent  regulatory  process  for  the  issue  of  licences  (for  both  goods  and 

passenger transport) and access to the profession; 

–  implement the international conventions, notably on dangerous goods; 

–  implement  the  Government's  strategic  integrated  action  plan  on  road  safety  adopted  in 

November 2003; 

–  reinforce the bodies responsible for applying standards in the sector; 

–  accelerate the development of the Moroccan motorway network with a view to completion 

of the North-South and East-West links by 2010. 

(61) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the rail transport sector 

–  Promote multimodal services by integrating the interoperability issue; 

–  speed up development of the railway network to encourage multimodal links. 

Regional element 

–  Explore  the  benefits  of  regional  cooperation  in  order  to  improve  the  safety,  speed  and 

effectiveness (interoperability) of rail services; 

–  promote  closer  collaboration  in  the  rail  sector  between  the  national  regulatory  authority, 

international organisations and the EU. 

(62) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the aviation sector 

–  continue  implementation  of  the  national  aviation  policy  for  development  of  the  sector; 

continue to strengthen administrative capacity; 

–  start negotiations on an EU-Morocco aviation agreement once the negotiating mandate is 

given; 

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–  assess  and  examine  the  possibility  of  extending  to other airports the open competition in 
the  Casablanca-Mohammed  V, 

ground-handling  services  currently  applicable  at 
Marrakech-Menara and Agadir-Al Massira airports; 

–  under the new policy of liberalisation in the air transport sector which came into force in 
February 2004, reinforce the current level of liberalisation of charter and scheduled flights, 
including the development of new Morocco-EU links; 

–  cooperate  on  the  development  of  a  flexible  strategic  plan  for  managing  airport 
infrastructure  taking  account  of  public  service  aspects  and  of  the  economic  viability  of 
airport operation; 

–  cooperate on safety and security; 

–  explore the opportunities for taking part in the 'single sky' for European air transport. 

(63) 

Implement selected measures and reforms in the maritime sector 

–  Implement  the  national  maritime  policy  to  increase  the  competitiveness  of  the  maritime 
sector; promote short-sea shipping and introduce competition and private participation in 
port services; 

–  continue  reform  of  the  ports  sector  with  a  view  to  introduction  of  an  independent  port 

authority responsible for regulation and control; 

–  strengthen the powers of the maritime authorities and the training of seafarers with regard 

to safety and the prevention of sea pollution; 

–  implement  the  relevant  international  conventions  and  continue  alignment  of  maritime 

legislation on the EU's; 

–  improve  national  flag  administration,  increase  administrative  surveillance  of  compliance 

with the obligations of third parties in the area of maritime safety; 

–  step  up  cooperation  on  maritime  security  with  a  view  to  combating  terrorism,  in  the 

context of implementing the SOLAS/ISPS code; 

–  explore the possibility of participating in EMSA; 

–  complete the restructuring of the State port sector; 

–  speed  up  the  phasing-out  of  single-hull  oil  tankers  and  introduce  the  changes  recently 

agreed in the IMO Marpol Convention. 

Regional element 

–  Maritime safety: take part in improving the Euromed framework for cooperation within the 

IMO; take part in the new MEDA regional project on maritime safety (SAFEMED); 

–  take part in regional cooperation on maritime policy, ports and short-sea shipping. 

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Energy 

(64) 

Strengthen Moroccan energy policy at national and regional level 

–  Implementation of an energy policy based on sustainable development and integrating the 

objectives of supply security, competitiveness and protecting the environment; 

–  facilitating the funding of energy infrastructure. 

(65) 

Strengthen Morocco's role in regional energy supply security 

–  Reinforcing energy interconnections, including transit infrastructures; 

–  build regional capacity for storage of energy products. 

(66) 

Strengthen the energy observation and forecasting system 

–  Strengthen the observation system, especially though exchanges of information and know-

how and training measures; 

–  cooperation  and  exchanges  of  information  and  know-how  with  regard  to  energy 

forecasting. 

(67)  Gradual integration of the Moroccan electricity market into the European electricity 
market, pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (Rome, 2 December 2003) on 
the  gradual  integration  of  the  electricity  markets  of  the  Maghreb  countries  into  the 
EU's internal electricity market. 

–  Implement  the  organisational,  institutional,  regulatory  and  technical  conditions  for  the 
integration of the Moroccan electricity market into the EU’s internal electricity market; 

–  restructure the electricity sector and implement the conditions for its gradual liberalisation. 

(68)  Development of natural gas use 

–  Cooperation  on  implementation  of  measures  for  the  development  of  natural  gas  use: 
legislative  and  regulatory  framework,  technical  measures  and  appropriate  accompanying 
measures. 

–  Cooperation to enhance the safety and security of energy installations and the system and 

means of technical control and risk prevention in relation to such installations 

–  Technical  control  of  energy  installations  and  equipment  and  implementation  of  risk 

prevention measures; 

–  exchange  experience  and  know-how  with  a  view  to  building  technical  capacity  in  the 
Ministry  of  Energy  and  Mining's  energy  laboratory,  particularly  with  regard  to 
hydrocarbons quality control. 

(69) 

Strengthening energy demand management and the use of renewable energy sources 

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–  Cooperation  on  devising  and  implementing  action  plans  and  institution-building  in  these 

areas. 

Information society 

(70)  Progress in the areas of electronic communications policy and regulation 

–  Encourage gradual liberalisation of the fixed telephony market; 

–  continue liberalisation of the mobile telephony market; 

–  complete the regulatory framework; 

–  build capacity of the regulatory authority (ANRT); 

–  encourage  cooperation  between  the  ANRT  and  other  regulators  in  the  Mediterranean 

region and in the Member States of the EU; 

–  encourage  the  extension  of  infrastructure  and  improvements  to  and  modernisation  of 

services. 

(71)  Progress in the implementation of the e-Morocco plan and dialogue and cooperation 

on information society technologies 

–  improve citizens’ access to and knowledge of information technology to help overcome the 

digital divide; 

–  support the implementation of the pilot projects and the development of content for on-line 

services (e-Business, e-Government, e-health, e-learning); 

–  encourage  private-sector  participation  in  the  introduction  of  the  e-Morocco  plan, 
particularly  SME/SMIs,  through  support  for  the  creation  of  IT  and  telecommunications 
zoning and incubation sites; 

–  support introduction of the regulatory framework to allow the development of e-commerce 

(electronic signatures, private data protection, domain name management); 

–  continue Moroccan participation in the EUMEDIS regional programme; 

–  pursue  dialogue  on  the  development  of  the  information  society  in  the  “Research  and 
Innovation” subcommittee, e.g. through the exchange of information on the EU regulatory 
framework, the exchange of know-how on certification, electronic signatures and security 
of communications and electronic transactions; 

–  encourage  Moroccan  participation  in  the  IST  strand  of  the  EU  research  framework 

programmes; 

–  examine  ways  of  developing  exchanges  between  computing  networks  (in  particular 

MARWAN). 

Environment 

(72)  Promote good environmental governance 

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–  Complete  the  establishment  of  administrative  structures  responsible  for  environment 
protection  and  water  management  at  central  and  local  level  and  of  procedures  to  ensure 
strategic  planning  in  these  areas,  including  financial  strategies.  Improve  coordination 
between  the  various  actors;  in  particular  between  the  various  ministries  involved  in 
environment protection and water resource management; 

–  establish  procedures  concerning  access  to  information  and  public  participation,  also  with 

regard to environmental impact assessments; 

–  draw up regular reports on the state of the environment; 

–  develop and implement communication strategies on the environment and natural resource 

management; support the various civil society actors and local authorities; 

–  exchange know-how and experience on environmental governance. 

(73)  Prevent  and  combat  the  deterioration  of  the  environment,  protect  human  health  and 
promote  the  rational  use  of  natural  resources,  in  line  with  the  NEAP  and 
Johannesburg Summit undertakings  

–  Strengthen  the  administrative  capacity  of  the  authorities  responsible  for  environment 
protection  and  water  management,  including  the  issuing  of  permits  and  monitoring  and 
inspection tasks; 

–  adopt  the  framework  legislation,  implementing  texts  and  basic  procedures  in  the  main 
environmental  sectors  identified  in  the  NEAP.  Promote  gradual  approximation  of  the 
Moroccan legislative framework with the EU's; 

–  promote  rational  management  of  water  resources.  Adopt  a  general  financial  strategy  on 

water issues where appropriate; 

–  adopt and implement a national waste management strategy; 

–  implement action under the plan to combat desertification; 

–  strengthen activities to preserve biodiversity and protect the marine environment, including 
the  introduction  of  Euro-Mediterranean  programmes  to  prevent  and  combat  marine 
pollution. 

(74)  Enhance cooperation on environmental issues 

–  Introduce  practical  arrangements  for  cooperation  with  the  EU  on  implementation  of  the 
environment  conventions  and  protocols,  particularly  as  regards  biodiversity,  climate 
change,  desertification  and  waste  management:  special  attention  will  be  paid  to 
implementing the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on 
Climate Change, including CDM; 

–  ratify  the  amendments  to  the  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea 
against  Pollution  (Barcelona  Convention)  and  its  protocols,  in  particular  the  new 
Emergency Protocol and the new Protocol on Biodiversity; 

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–  identify  possibilities  for  enhanced  regional  cooperation  with  neighbouring  countries, 

especially with regard to water and desertification problems; 

–  possible participation in certain activities of the European Environment Agency. 

Science and technology, research and development 

(75) 

Speed  up  Morocco's  integration  in  the  European  research  area  and  the  Community 
framework programmes 

–  Create and enhance reciprocal information systems; 

–  implement and ensure the smooth running of the network of national contact points for the 

FRDPs and link them up with the national RDT and innovation operators; 

–  organise  EU-Morocco  cooperation  in  RDT-I,  identifying  the  priority  sectors  of  mutual 
interest,  the  instruments  and  means  of  cooperation  and  implementation  policies  and 
strategies. 

(76)  Develop  research  and  technological  development  capacity  for  the  benefit  of  the 

economy and society 

–  Strengthen human, material and institutional resources in order to improve the capacities of 

RDT-I operators; 

–  organise dialogue between all those involved in research and end-users (industry, SMEs); 

–  implement  interaction  mechanisms  between  research  and  industry,  public-private  sector 

(technology parks, fora, etc.). 

(77)  Promote Morocco's integration in high-level scientific exchanges 

–  Strengthen  Morocco's  participation 

in 

the 

international  Marie  Curie  scholarship 

programmes and provide appropriate return mechanisms; 

–  step  up  staff  exchanges  in  joint  projects  and  promote  the  participation  of  Moroccan 

scientists in international scientific fora and debates. 

2.6. People-to-people contacts 

Education, training, youth and sport 

(78) 

Improve  Morocco's  education  and  vocational  training  systems  in  order  to  promote 
competitiveness, employability and mobility, particularly by bringing Morocco closer 
to the European higher education area 

–  Encourage  access  to  education,  including  technical  training,  higher  education  and 
vocational  training,  for  disadvantaged  or  vulnerable  groups  (prisoners,  the  disabled,  the 
visually-impaired, etc.) and the female population (Article 46 of the AA); 

–  bring  the  Moroccan  education  system  into  line  with  those  in  the  EU,  taking  into 

consideration the Lisbon strategy; 

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–  create programmes of European and Euro-Mediterranean studies, particularly through the 

Jean Monnet Action and aspects of the TEMPUS programme; 

–  develop doctoral schools in priority areas, in particular through the TEMPUS programme; 

–  improve the higher education system and the institutional and legislative framework in line 

with the principles of the Bologna process; 

–  implement  the  system  for  recognition  of  academic  credits  (ECTS)  to  facilitate  student 

mobility with support from the TEMPUS programme; 

–  improve lifelong learning programmes; 

–  implement policies to eradicate illiteracy; 

–  develop  the  education  programmes  in  the  area  of  human  rights  and  citizenship  which 

Morocco has undertaken to provide; 

–  support implementation of the higher education reforms; 

–  develop vocationally-oriented training to improve graduate employability; 

–  encourage businesses to express their skill requirements and develop in-service training; 

–  improve  the  quality  and  develop  the  capacity  of  the  public  supply  of  general  education, 

vocational training and higher education; 

–  develop the private general education, vocational training and higher education sectors; 

–  develop vocational training through apprenticeship schemes. 

(79) 

Strengthen cooperation in the areas of education, training, youth and sport 

–  Promote  intercultural  dialogue  and  cooperation  in  the  area  of  youth  by  developing 
exchanges  between  young  people,  partnerships  between  youth  organisations  and  training 
for youth workers, in particular through the Euromed Youth programme; 

–  promote cooperation in the area of out-of school education;  

–  promote cooperation between higher education establishments; 

–  develop  Morocco’s  human  capital  and  promote  higher  education  reform;  in  this  context 

increase Morocco's involvement in the Tempus programme; 

–  encourage the participation of Moroccan students and universities in the Erasmus-Mundus 

programme; 

–  relaunch  and  develop  the  MEDA  Sport  project  on  “integrating  young  people  through 

sport”; 

–  promote further training programmes for managers working in the youth and sport field; 

–  develop partnerships between sporting and youth associations; 

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–  promote Euro-Mediterranean study centre networks; 

–  promote the organisation of, and participation, in sporting events and school and university 

sport. 

(80)  Governance of the education system 

–  Strengthen  the  process  of  devolving  and  decentralising  education  services  and  the 

decentralisation of higher education; 

–  promote aspects relating to the planning, management and evaluation of the education and 

training system; 

–  strengthen the autonomy and improve the capacity for governance of universities. 

(81)  Quality of education 

–  Promote distance-learning; 

–  support  programmes  for  the  development  of  new  information  and  communication 

technologies in the Moroccan education and training system; 

–  encourage the development of the Moroccan Virtual Campus (CVM); 

–  improve health cover in schools; 

–  foster  the  development  of  skills  for  the  evaluation  of  training  programmes,  projects  and 

institutions (pedagogical, administrative and financial evaluation); 

–  develop new regulatory strategies for the higher education sector, in particular through the 

establishment of a national evaluation agency. 

Cultural cooperation 

(82) 

Improve cultural cooperation 

–  Strengthen  intercultural  dialogue,  in  particular  by  promoting  language  teaching  and 

disseminating Moroccan culture in the EU; 

–  foster the creation of Morocco-EU cultural areas; 

–  intensify  Morocco's  participation  in  the  Euromed  cultural  cooperation  programmes 

(Euromed Heritage and Euromed Audiovisual); 

–  intensify  the  exchange  of  experience  in  the  area  of  cultural  diversity  and  intercultural 

dialogue, inter alia in the sphere of the relevant negotiations in Unesco. 

(83)  Create  an  environment  conducive  to  cooperation  and  the  movement  of  cultural  and 

audiovisual products and services 

–  Support  upgrading  and  modernisation  of  the  communication  sector  in  general,  and  the 

audiovisual sector in particular; 

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–  increase human resources in the audiovisual sector, the written press and the cinema; 

–  foster  debate  on  audiovisual  policy;  including  examining  the  possible  participation  of 

Morocco in the activities of the Audiovisual Observatory; 

–  encourage the exchange of information and experience with regard to regulatory aspects of 

audiovisual policy; 

–  identify  mechanisms  to  intensify  Euro-Moroccan  co-productions  in  the  audiovisual  and 

cinematic sectors; 

–  promote  productions  by  both  parties  and  step  up  bilateral  and  multilateral  exchanges,  in 

particular in the audiovisual and cinematic fields. 

Civil society 

(84) 

Step up and facilitate the development of civil society networks 

–  pursue  the  implementation  of  the  new  legislation  on  associations,  in  order  to  strengthen 

civil society; 

–  encourage  organisations  for  the  defence  of  citizens'  social,  political  and  economic  rights, 

and those campaigning for a better environment; 

–  encourage local and regional initiatives to develop international cooperation activities; 

–  promote  projects  designed  to  facilitate  the  access  of  civil  society,  in  particular  youth 

groups and clubs, to new information and communication technologies. 

Health 

(85)  Raise the level of public health and epidemiological safety, in line with EU legislation 

and in cooperation with the WHO, by participation in information networks  

Health information 

–  Exchange information and know-how on health indicators and data collection: 

–  exchanges  of  experience  between  Morocco  and  Member  States  on  health 

information systems 

–  training on the collection, management and use of indicators in decision-making; 

–  organise seminars and meetings to exchange information in the field of health safety; 

–  ensure Morocco's participation as an observer in the network of competent authorities; 

–  take measures to integrate Morocco into the EU health information system. 

Epidemiological surveillance and monitoring 

–  encourage  association  with/participation  in  networks  for  the  surveillance  of  transmissible 

diseases; 

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–  develop a network of laboratories; 

–  strengthen  the  regional  epidemiological  observatories  and  border  health  inspection 

services; 

–  develop  health watch and  alert systems  through the establishment of a  national  specialist 

unit in the Health Ministry; 

–  encourage establishment of the Food Health and Quality Control Agency (ACQSA) with 

the support of the CSER (Scientific Council of Risk Evaluation). 

Increase health system decentralisation 

–  Improve basic health care at regional level; 

–  pursue  decentralisation  of  the  treatment  of  cancer  sufferers,  in  particular  to  the  newly 

created centres. 

3. Monitoring 

The  Action  Plan  will  be  submitted  to  the  EU-Morocco  Association  Council  for  formal 
adoption. 

The Action Plan is a strategy paper for EU-Morocco cooperation. 

The  joint  bodies  established  under  the  Association  Agreement,  in  particular  the  designated 
subcommittees, will advance and monitor implementation of the Action Plan on the basis of 
regular implementation reports. 

An initial review of implementation of the Action Plan will take place within two years of its 
adoption. 

The parties will amend and/or update the Action Plan on a regular basis to reflect progress in 
addressing the priorities. 

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