Source: EURLEX
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# 52013JC0006

**Joint Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Union position within the Association Council set up 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 implementing the advanced status (2013-2017) /\* JOIN/2013/06 final - 2013/0107 (NLE) \*/**

  

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Morocco and the European Union are bound by
a Euro‑Mediterranean Association Agreement that came into force in March
2000. On the basis of that agreement, the EU-Morocco European Neighbourhood
Policy (ENP) Action Plan was approved by both sides in July 2005 for a period
of five years.

Within this framework, EU-Morocco relations
have developed and matured substantially. The adoption of the joint document on
advanced status in October 2008[1]
gave a further impetus to these relations and marked a significant deepening in
the areas of political relations, security, economics, trade and various
sectors, and in people-to-people contacts.

When the current ENP Action Plan expired in
July 2010, it was deemed appropriate to negotiate and conclude a new Action
Plan, based on the objectives and ambitions of the joint document on advanced
status. However, pending the conclusion of the new Action Plan, both sides
agreed to continue to apply the 2005 Action Plan.

EU-Morocco relations are set against the
background of a region where the overall political situation has been in a
state of flux since early 2011.

The Joint Communication to the Parliament
and the Council entitled ‘A new response to a changing neighbourhood’ outlined
a new approach which aims at a higher level of differentiation, allowing each
partner to develop its links with the EU based on its own aspirations, needs
and capacities, but also on mutual accountability and the degree of commitment
to the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and the
capacity to implement jointly agreed priorities. This new Action Plan clearly
outlines the priority objectives of the EU-Morocco special partnership while
taking full account of the advanced status and of the comprehensiveness of
EU-Morocco relations.

The European External Action Service (EEAS), in
close cooperation with the European Commission and EU Member States, has held
exploratory talks with Morocco which have resulted in an agreement on the draft
Action Plan, including the list of priority measures to be carried out under
the Plan. At the last EU-Morocco Association
Council on 23 April 2012 both sides noted that they were close to an agreement,
which was then reached in November 2012. The finalisation of technical consultations on each side was notified
through an exchange of letters on 28 November 2012 (EEAS) and 10 January 2013
(Morocco).

The new EU-Morocco Action Plan implementing
the advanced status (2013-2017) will be an essential point of reference that
will guide our bilateral relations with Morocco in the coming years and thus
provide a road map for a deeper association between Morocco and the EU. The ENP
will continue to act as a catalyst by providing a single policy framework,
based inter alia on partnership, joint ownership, performance-driven
differentiation and tailor-made assistance.

The European Commission and the High
Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ('High
Representative') attach hereto the text of a joint proposal for a Council
Decision on the position to be taken by the European Union within the
EU-Morocco Association Council on the adoption of a recommendation on the
implementation of the Action Plan.

The European Commission and the High
Representative therefore request the Council to adopt the attached joint
proposal for a Council Decision.

2013/0107 (NLE)

Joint Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the Union position
within the Association Council set up 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 implementing the advanced status (2013-2017)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Council and Commission
Decision 2000/204/EC, ECSC of 24 January 2000 on the conclusion of 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 2 (1) thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty on European
Union, in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the joint proposal of the
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and of
the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)       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.

(2)       The Parties intend to
approve the new EU-Morocco European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan
implementing the advanced status (2013-2017), which reflects the EU-Morocco
special partnership and will contribute to the implementation of the Euro‑Mediterranean
Agreement through the formulation and adoption of specific measures leading to
the attainment of its objectives,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Union position within the Association
Council set up 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, on the implementation of the
EU-Morocco ENP Action Plan implementing the advanced status (2013-2017) shall
be based on the draft recommendation of the Association Council attached to
this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the
day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels,

                                                                       For
the Council

                                                                       The
President

Draft

RECOMMENDATION

on
the implementation of the EU-Morocco ENP Action Plan implementing the advanced
status (2013-2017)

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)
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.

(2)
Pursuant to 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.

(3)
The Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement
have agreed on the text of the EU‑Morocco European Neighbourhood Policy
(ENP) Action Plan implementing the advanced status (2013-2017).

(4)
This EU-Morocco ENP Action Plan will support the
implementation of the Agreement through the formulation and adoption, by
agreement between the Parties, of specific measures which will provide
practical guidance for such implementation.

(5)
The Action Plan serves the dual purpose of
setting out specific measures for the fulfilment of the Parties’ obligations
set out in the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, and of providing a broader
framework for a further strengthening EU-Morocco relations to achieve a
significant measure of economic integration and a deepening of political
cooperation, in accordance with the overall objectives of the
Euro-Mediterranean Agreement,

(6)
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:

Sole Article

The Association Council recommends that the
Parties implement the EU-Morocco ENP Action Plan implementing the advanced
status (2013-2017) annexed hereto, in so far as such implementation is directed
towards attainment of the objectives of 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.

Done at [...]

For the Association Council

The President

ANNEX

EUROPEAN
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY

DRAFT
MOROCCO ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ADVANCED STATUS (2013-2017)

I.            Introduction

The European neighbourhood policy (ENP) sets ambitious goals based
on shared responsibility and the acceptance of mutually recognised common
values such as democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human
rights, market economics, free trade, sustainable development, poverty
reduction and the implementation of political, economic and institutional
reforms. 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 ENP. Morocco
shares these values and principles, which underlie the formulation of its
national and international policies.

The EU-Morocco partnership, which started
with the 1969 Trade Agreement, reached a turning-point with the Association
Agreement signed in 1996, then with the ENP. They have helped to strengthen
political, economic and trade ties and resulted in the sustained development of
human and cultural exchanges. On the basis of the Association Agreement,
relations between Morocco and the EU have gradually and steadily grown into a
genuine EU‑Morocco partnership, making Morocco one of the EU’s leading
partners.

The adoption in October 2008 of the joint
document on reinforcing bilateral relations/advanced status marked the start of
a new phase in bilateral relations. This document strengthens the key
partnership between the EU and Morocco by setting ambitious new goals for
deeper political, economic and human relations. The EU-Morocco summit in
Granada in March 2010 confirmed these goals by underlining the special nature
of the EU-Morocco partnership. Today, on the basis of the very advanced status
of their relations, the two sides are seeking to further strengthen this
exemplary and mutually beneficial partnership in order to confront shared
political, economic and social challenges together and in a spirit of
solidarity.

Progress towards good governance and
political and socioeconomic reforms are common principles for implementing the
advanced status. The partnership requires a stronger commitment to the
introduction of the major reforms instigated by Morocco and to their extension
both in the political sphere, principally in the areas of democracy, human
rights and the rule of law, and in the economic and social spheres, in
particular with a view to tangible progress on human development. The level of
EU support will be adapted to Morocco's goals and progress on the reforms it
has embarked on, and to the country’s needs and capacities. The EU and Morocco
will continue to work towards that end, which is in keeping with Morocco’s new
Constitution adopted on 1 July 2011 and with the new EU strategy developed in
the context of the partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the
southern Mediterranean.

The EU recognises that, for Morocco,
rapprochement with the EU represents a fundamental foreign policy choice. Its aim is to move as close as possible to the EU
in order to underpin and support its drive towards political modernisation, an
open economy and social cohesion. Morocco also sees this goal as the best way
of promoting its alignment and coordination with the EU on strategic issues of
common interest. Both sides consider that the benefits of such a process will
be magnified by regional integration in the Maghreb and reiterate their desire
to work together to give this movement fresh impetus. Moreover, in accordance
with Article 8 of the EU Treaty and with Morocco’s hopes of reaching a new
agreement governing reciprocal relations, the two sides agree to further
reflection on the possible nature and form of such an agreement.

The EU-Morocco ENP Action Plan has made for
a more targeted implementation of the instruments provided for in the
Association Agreement and supported Morocco's objective of bringing its
economic and social structures more into line with those of the Union.

The new Action
Plan for implementing the advanced status represents a key step in the ongoing
process of strengthening relations between Morocco and the EU in which all the
tools, mechanisms and instruments of the advanced status will be brought into
action.

This instrument
will encourage the development and implementation of policies and measures to
promote the consolidation of the rule of law, democracy and human rights,
economic growth, employment and social cohesion, poverty reduction and
protection of the environment, thereby contributing in the long term to
sustainable development. Implementation
of the new instrument will take account of the necessary balance between
speeding up the process of opening and modernising the Moroccan economy and the
imperative of sustainable socioeconomic development.

Both sides will in addition continue
implementation of economic integration by opening negotiations on a deep and
comprehensive free trade agreement. These negotiations will further the
sectoral negotiations that have already been completed or those that are still
in progress, particularly on liberalising trade in services and establishment,
and will examine ways of improving on a reciprocal basis the preferential
concessions adopted under the free trade agreement on agricultural products,
processed agricultural products and fishery products, in the light of the
specific circumstances of each party.

The new instrument
is an amalgam of the former Action Plan and the joint document on the advanced
status. It includes the reforms agreed and the
measures provided for in the Action Plan that have yet to be implemented, and
the new features contained in the joint document. Also,
in line with Morocco’s reform programme, the new instrument reflects the
principles of differentiation and ownership. By
requiring the Moroccan government to introduce a strategy of regulatory
alignment based on an evaluation of the existing differences, the establishment
of priorities for convergence and an implementation timetable, the new document
puts the advanced status roadmap on an operational footing. This strategy will be underpinned by the EU’s
support programmes.

The instrument
provides, amongst other things, for a gradual, phased process for bringing
Moroccan legislation into line with the Community acquis with a view to the
Moroccan economy's gradual integration into the EU internal market and
promotion of trade, investment and growth. Both
parties accordingly undertake to begin a systematic analysis of the differences
between Moroccan legislation and the European acquis based on the references
indicated in the Action Plan. An evaluation of the priorities and means
required to ensure convergence will be carried out for each sector in the
Action Plan. Regulatory approximation may consist of (i) the gradual full
adoption of the acquis in certain sectors in the short or long term, (ii) the
transposal of part of the acquis, or (iii) the adoption of the main principles
of the acquis or of best practices in a given field. At the end of the first
two years of the Action Plan, the Moroccan government will adopt a national
programme of regulatory convergence with the EU designed to establish the
priorities, the scope and the pace of such a process, as requested in the
King’s speech from the throne in 2010.

The
new Action Plan will provide a framework for programming, implementing and
monitoring EU aid, taking account of the needs expressed and intermediate
results achieved. Resources will be made available by Morocco and the EU for
the implementation of the priorities agreed. In
the EU’s case, the aid will mainly be provided through national indicative
programmes agreed with Morocco, which will set out the aid priorities and the
indicative financial package. This aid will be
delivered in strict compliance with the relevant rules and procedures for the
implementation of EU external aid.

A variety of instruments may be used to
implement the EU’s aid to Morocco, including those resulting from the
discussions on the new strategy for ENP countries. These
include exchanges of advice, technical assistance, best practice and know-how,
support for capacity‑and institution-building, support for sectoral
reform, support for promoting integration and social and economic cohesion and
lessening the development gap between regions, and support to civil society.

Loans from European financial institutions
will also play a key role in the implementation of the new Action Plan. The
Neighbourhood Investment Facility and the Facility for Euro‑Mediterranean
Investment and Partnership (FEMIP), financed by the EU, should provide
substantial leverage in the implementation of loans for the construction of
infrastructure, development and partnership with the private sector. This will
enable, inter alia, the full mobilisation of the European Investment
Bank funds guaranteed under FEMIP.

The parties have also agreed to examine
together how best to use the new instruments for implementing financial
cooperation, for instance those introduced in the light of the new strategy for
ENP countries, and how to access adequate means of funding to support Morocco
as it embarks on these reforms and its rapprochement with the EU. This is done with the aim of improving efficiency
and enhancing the degree of integration that Morocco and the EU can achieve.

The implementation of the Action Plan
covers a period of five years (2013-2017). Particular attention will be paid to
the priority measures identified in the table which forms an integral part of
the Action Plan (see Annex III). During implementation, the two parties may
adjust the Plan to new priorities of the Moroccan government and/or of the EU
without the need to adopt a new one.

The introduction of reforms in several key
sectors will require the setting of clear targets to be set and the
availability of adequate means. The Association Committee and the subcommittees
set up under the Association Agreement will ensure regular monitoring of the
implementation of the Action Plan, particularly in terms of the progress
achieved and support provided. Either party may also prepare progress reports.
Civil society should contribute actively to monitoring.

The Action Plan forms part of the process
of implementing the advanced status and marks an important step in developing
relations between the two parties into a special partnership.

The ad hoc Advanced Status Group will
continue its deliberations on this basis with a view to formulating new
perspectives for the new partnership and identifying its scope, instruments and
purpose.

II.          Action plan

A.           TOWARDS AN AREA OF SHARED VALUES

1.           Political and
policy dialogue

1.1         Cooperation on foreign and
security policy

Step up dialogue and cooperation on foreign and security policy with
a view to ensuring regular consultations on international issues, consideration
of the interests of both parties and increased security and stability, in
particular in the Maghreb.

Develop bilateral
political dialogue, in particular through:

·
the organisation of Morocco-EU summits on an ad
hoc basis;

·
the organisation of meetings between Morocco’s
Foreign Minister and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission (HR-VP) on an ad hoc
basis;

·
the organisation of informal, ad hoc meetings
between Morocco's Foreign Minister and European counterparts;

·
the participation on an ad hoc basis of Morocco’s
line department ministers and their European counterparts at meetings taking
place alongside the regular meetings of the EU Council of Ministers;

·
the organisation of ad hoc meetings between
senior Moroccan officials and members of committees and groups of the EU
Council, e.g. the Political and Security Committee (PSC), the Maghreb/Mashreq
Group (MAMA), the Africa Group (COAFR), the Working Party on Terrorism (COTER)
and the Working Group on Human Rights (COHOM);

·
Moroccan support on a case-by-case basis for
statements and decisions of the EU Council in the context of the common foreign
and security policy (CFSP), in accordance with procedures laid down by the EU.

Greater consultation in multilateral
forums

·
Organise meetings in New York between Morocco’s
Foreign Minister and the HR‑VP to ensure better coordination of both
partners’ positions.

·
Take joint initiatives in the United Nations
Human Rights Council, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and in
other international organisations on the basis of priorities established and
agreed by both parties, and draw up a timetable of consultation meetings in
Geneva and New York ahead of the meetings of the UN’s human rights bodies.

·
Establish informal consultation mechanisms to
improve the implementation of multilateral agreements.

·
Hold consultation and coordination meetings on
initiatives for combating threats to international, regional and subregional
security.

·
Hold consultations between Morocco and the EU on
action to tackle climate change.

Strengthen cooperation on conflict prevention and crisis management

·
Strengthen cooperation and dialogue in the
framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

·
Envisage the conclusion of a framework agreement
on information security.

·
Conclude a framework agreement on Moroccan
participation in EU crisis‑management operations (civil and military).

·
Participate where appropriate in training
activities related to conflict prevention and crisis management organised by
the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).

·
Explore ways of coordinating post-conflict and
reconstruction efforts in the context of peace-building operations.

·
Develop the partnership for peace and security
in Africa with due consideration for the interests of both parties.

·
Contribute to UN regional conflict resolution
efforts.

·
Participate actively in the regional chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) centres of excellence initiative
designed to build institutional capacity for dealing with CBRN threats of
criminal, accidental or natural origin (secretariat of the West Africa/Atlantic
façade regional centre planned in Morocco).

Extend cooperation on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction (WMDs) and export controls on arms and dual-use goods

·
Contribute to implementation of the Final
Document of the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.

·
Engage actively to the process of negotiating
the Arms Trade Treaty.

·
Organise seminars and exercises on implementing
the principles of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT).

·
Strengthen the dialogue on the non-proliferation
of WMDs and their means of delivery so that it covers an examination of the
specific threats posed by such weapons to regional security, in particular
through:

–
implementation at national level of existing
international obligations, in particular UN Security Council resolutions
1540/04 and 1977/2011;

–
accession to and national implementation of the
international instruments concerned on the basis of increased cooperation with
the relevant international organisations, e.g. the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA);

–
increased cooperation on preventing and
combating illicit trafficking in substances, equipment and know-how that may be
involved in the manufacture of WMDs or of their means of delivery;

–
promotion of the universalisation and
implementation of The Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC) against Ballistic Missile
Proliferation and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

·
Introduce an effective national system of arms
and dual-use goods export controls to allow monitoring of the export and
transit of arms and goods that may be used in the manufacture of WMDs, in
particular through:

–
the adoption of export control legislation
covering the end use of arms and dual-use goods and effective and appropriate
penalties for dealing with non‑compliance;

–
the development of a partnership between the
authorities and private operators to ensure the dissemination of and compliance
with obligations in relation to export controls on arms and dual-use goods;

·
Enhance dialogue on issues relating to export
controls on small arms and light weapons, including controls on transhipment
and transit, through the organisation, for example, of regional training and
awareness-raising seminars.

·
Cooperate in action to prevent and combat
illicit trafficking in conventional weapons, including small arms and light
weapons.

1.2         Cooperation on civil
protection

·
Pursue regional cooperation in the prevention
of, preparation for and response to natural and man-made disasters.

·
Establish operational arrangements between
Moroccan bodies and European Commission departments for cooperation with the
Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) of the Community civil protection
mechanism when the mechanism has been activated.

·
Facilitate the strengthening and diversification
of cooperation in the area of civil protection, including the prevention of and
preparedness for natural and man-made disasters and post-crisis management,
setting up a natural disaster early warning system, and appropriate training
and specialisation measures.

1.3         Regional cooperation

Support
implementation of regional integration initiatives and projects

·
Engage actively in the optimum implementation of
the Union for the Mediterranean to ensure its development as a global
partnership based on solidarity.

·
Engage in strengthening the subregional
coordination and cooperation mechanisms in the 5+5 Dialogue and under the Arab
Maghreb Union (AMU) - EU framework: in particular through the development of
variable geometry projects in common interest areas.

·
Promote intra-regional integration, in
particular within the AMU, in areas including the economy and trade.

·
Promote the effective implementation of the
Agadir Agreement so as to increase the economic integration of the
Mediterranean Arab countries.

·
Step up bilateral dialogue on the Africa-EU
partnership.

2.           Democracy, the Rule of law and
Governance

The measures in the following chapter
cover respect for democratic principles and human rights, and governance, particularly
in the context of the implementation of the Moroccan Constitution adopted on 1
July 2011

2.1         Democracy, the rule of law
and governance

Strengthen institutions that guarantee democracy and the rule of law
and the separation and balance of powers

·
Strengthen the roles of the Parliament and
Government.

·
Strengthen the role of political parties in the
context of a multi-party democratic system, and improve contacts between
political parties and parliamentary groups.

·
Increase the contribution and strengthen the key
role of the parliamentary opposition in the work of parliament and guarantee
its rights.

·
Consolidate the role of civil society, in
particular by stepping up dialogue with civil society actors and stakeholders
in the preparation of draft laws;
set up consultation bodies for this
purpose to encourage their involvement in the preparation, implementation and
evaluation of public policies.

·
Increase the participation of citizens in the
management of public life, in particular by implementing the right of petition
and to present legislative proposals.

·
Step up measures to increase levels of electoral
registration and participation in elections.

·
Strengthen measures and consolidate the
administrative bodies responsible for reinforcing respect for democracy and the
rule of law, in particular through the establishment a Constitutional Court.

·
Continue holding democratic elections in
accordance with international standards.

·
Continue implementing the law on the independent
and neutral observation of elections, in particular through the involvement of
the relevant civil society bodies.

·
Continue the implementation of legislative
measures designed to encourage equal access to electoral office and elective
functions for women and men, and efforts to increase the participation of women
in politics.

·
Encourage the
implementation by Morocco of measures to allow Moroccan citizens resident
abroad to exercise their right to vote and to be elected.

·
Build and
strengthen the capacity for action and independence of the National Human
Rights Council (CNDH) and the Ombudsman’s Office.

Modernisation
of public administration

·
Guarantee equal access to public services,
equitable national coverage and continuity of service, and compliance by public
services with standards of quality, transparency, accountability and
responsibility. Adopt and implement to that end a public service charter laying
down a body of rules on good governance for the operation of public
authorities.

·
Strengthen reception, guidance and complaints
handling structures in public administrations and devise training programmes
for reception staff.

·
Modernise the
management of human resources in the public service.

·
Simplify
administrative procedures.

·
Provide training
on EU policies.

·
Promote gender
equality in the civil service, in particular access for women to
decision-making positions.

·
Cooperate in the
evaluation of public policies.

2.2         Devolution,
decentralisation and regionalisation

Consolidate the process of administrative and
budgetary decentralisation and devolution

·
Implement administrative devolution.

·
Develop managerial and technical capacity and
capacity in the training and management of human resources in local government.

·
Implement the law on the finances of local
government and local government groups.

·
Simplify local taxation and improve taxation
yields.

·
Build the capacity of local authorities to
assess and exploit their full tax potential.

·
Foster partnership and cooperation initiatives
between Moroccan and European local authorities.

·
Implement the extended regionalisation process,
specifically by adopting and implementing the organic law establishing the
framework and procedures for the functioning of local authorities.

·
Build capacity in the authorities supporting and
managing the regionalisation project, particularly as regards the design of a
finance and equalisation model, the appropriate administrative organisation and
the development of partnership and contracting capacity.

·
Make local services more professional and
improve project management.

·
Encourage
cooperation initiatives between Moroccan local authorities and the EU’s
Committee of the Regions.

2.3         Reform of the justice
system

Reform of the judiciary and strengthening its independence

·
Underpin the independence of the judiciary and
ensure its effective operation, and establish a Supreme Judicial Council.

·
Implement the necessary reforms to guarantee the
independence of judges, particularly as regards their appointment, promotion,
retirement and discipline.

·
Revise the status of the offices of judge and
clerk, and the legal framework of the various legal professions.

·
Improve universal access to justice and make
free access more widely available for those without sufficient means where the
law so allows.

·
Guarantee the right to a fair trial, the principle
of the presumption of innocence and the right to effective judicial remedy.

·
Finalise the new Criminal Code and revise the
Code of Criminal Procedure and the Civil Procedure Code in line with
international standards.

·
Set up a National Crime Observatory.

·
Develop alternative methods of dispute
resolution, e.g. mediation, arbitration and conciliation, and alternatives to
imprisonment, including a system for monitoring defendants.

·
Continue decentralisation of the courts, revise
the judicial map and organisation of the judiciary.

·
Simplify and improve judicial procedures,
including shortening the length of procedures and trials so that judgments are
delivered and enforced within a reasonable time limit.

·
Improve legal assistance to detainees in
accordance with the law.

·
Ensure further training for judges and other
legal staff in the following areas: human
rights, international conventions, the rights of defendants, and business law.

·
Reinforce family courts within the courts of
first instance in order to support enforcement of the new family code.

·
Build capacity among juvenile court judges and
criminal investigation departments dealing with juveniles.

·
Develop social support capacity and
infrastructure, including social workers and bodies responsible for monitoring
and the rehabilitation of juveniles.

·
Ensure the
application of international standards on juvenile justice, including the 1985
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile
Justice (‘the Beijing Rules’) and the 1990 Guidelines for the Prevention of
Juvenile Delinquency (‘the Riyadh Guidelines’).

Improving detention conditions

·
Guarantee full respect of the rights of
detainees throughout their detention.

·
Ensure institutional strengthening of the
General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, with particular
reference to training, safeguarding prisoners’ rights (improving prison
conditions), preventing prison overcrowding and prisoner rehabilitation.

·
Guarantee the physical and moral integrity of
the individual and step up the fight against impunity in cases of abuse,
including in the context of obligations arising under the International
Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment.

·
Train managers and guards by developing their
expertise in the areas of teaching and security, and in relation to human
rights.

·
Construct new teaching centres in prisons.

·
Cooperate on improvements in prisoner
rehabilitation.

·
Improve prison conditions through a programme of
prison construction and renovation to reduce overcrowding.

·
Implement decentralisation by setting up nine
regional directorates for decentralised, local prison management.

2.4         Promotion and protection
of human rights and fundamental freedoms

Uphold, promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in
accordance with international standards

·
Continue efforts to bring Moroccan legislation
into line with international human rights standards.

·
Accord duly ratified and published international
conventions supremacy over domestic legislation and bring national law into
line with these conventions (preamble to the Constitution).

·
Complete the process of transposing and
implementing the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

·
Implement the recommendations passed by the
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) at its 77th
session in Geneva in August 2010 following examination of the periodic report
on Morocco.

·
Deposit with the United Nations the instruments
of Morocco's accession to Optional Protocol No 1 to the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) regarding the complaints procedure, the
Option Protocol to CEDAW and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.

·
Ratify the International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

·
Pursue the implementation by Morocco of the
recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights
Council.

·
Examine the advisability of Morocco's being
given a standing invitation to UN special procedures.

·
Continue the consultations on ratification of
the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

·
Increase legal protection of the right to life,
maintain the de facto moratorium on the death penalty and continue the dialogue
on the revision of the Criminal Code with a view to abolition of the death
penalty and on accession to Optical Protocol No 2 to the ICCPR.

·
Continue implementation of the body of
recommendations by the Justice and Reconciliation Commission, in particular by
implementing a national strategy to combat impunity.

·
Adopt and implement a national democracy and
human rights action plan.

·
Step up dialogue and cooperation on efforts to
combat racism and xenophobia.

·
Adopt and implement the organic law making
Amazigh an official State language along with Arabic.

·
Consolidate
efforts to promote and preserve the cultural rights of Morocco’s different
ethnic components (in particular those under way in the audiovisual field) and protect
the dialects spoken in Morocco; set up a National Council of Moroccan Languages and Culture to this
end.

·
Guarantee the
freedom of religious worship.

·
Promote
efforts to combat all forms of discrimination under Article 26 of the ICCPR.

2.5         Freedom of expression, in
particular in the audiovisual field, and freedoms of association and assembly

Ensure the protection of fundamental freedoms in
accordance with international standards

·
Strengthen guarantees relating to freedom of
expression in line with international standards.

·
Adopt a new press code in line with
international human rights standards and support the development and
implementation of a code of ethics by journalists; consider reducing or
abolishing measures involving deprivation of liberty for journalists and
guaranteeing the protection of sources used by them in the performance of their
duties.

·
Implement effective press self-regulation by
ensuring strict respect for democracy, ethics and codes of conduct in
accordance with international standards.

·
Complete the introduction of a National Press
Council.

·
Introduce reforms to encourage media pluralism
and independence, in particular financial independence, including by means of
market liberalisation in the media and advertising sectors.

·
Strengthen the role of the High Authority of
Audiovisual Communication in the liberalisation of the audiovisual sector,
promoting pluralism in the media and encouraging the expression of a plurality
of ideas and opinions.

·
Consolidate pluralism in the audiovisual sector
both externally (plurality of operators) and internally (plurality of content)
with a view to ensuring the necessary resources for the production of
diversified content, and in particular the establishment of a professional and
effective audiovisual information system.

·
Adopt and implement legislative measures on the
right of access to information held by public administrations, elected
institutions and bodies with a public-service mission.

·
Introduce mechanisms for pre-trial mediation in
relation to press offences.

·
Apply the existing legislation on the right of
association effectively and improve systems for appealing against the decisions
or omissions of public authorities.

·
Amend the law on street demonstrations and
public gatherings so as to reconcile the interests of public order with the
safeguarding of fundamental rights and freedoms.

·
Adopt and implement the organic law on
arrangements for exercising the right to strike in consultation with the social
partners.

2.6         Promotion of women’s
rights

Promotion of the civil, political,
social and economic rights of women and equality between men and women in all
areas

·
Implement the CEDAW and the principle of equal
rights and freedoms in the civil, political, economic, social, cultural,
educational and environmental fields.

·
Work towards equality between men and women, the
establishment of an Equality Authority and the combating of discrimination in
all its forms.

·
Implement the government’s 2011-2015 gender
equality agenda as a government action plan for mainstreaming gender equality
in public policies.

·
Implement the conclusions of the
Euro-Mediterranean meeting on the role of women in society (Marrakesh, November
2009).

·
Implement and strengthen mechanisms and
structures to promote and protect women’s rights.

·
Pursue the introduction of mechanisms and means
for enhanced implementation of the Family Code by all parties concerned,
continue efforts to raise judges’ awareness and train them in the principles
and objectives of the Family Code, and strengthen the family courts by
providing them with adequate human and material resources.

·
Set up and operate a Family Solidarity Fund.

·
Finalise the legislative framework for combating
violence against women (through reform of the criminal law and adoption of an
act on violence against women).

·
Reinforce implementation of the equality
measures in the Labour Code.

2.7         Promote the rights of
children and the vulnerable, in particular people with disabilities

Ensure that the rights of children and people
with disabilities are protected in line with international standards

·
Strengthen the mechanisms for ensuring effective
implementation of the Labour Code prohibition on the employment of children
under the age of 15 in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Conventions 182 and 138.

·
Adopt and implement the act on the working and
employment conditions applicable to domestic employees.

·
Extend application of the healthcare scheme
(RAMED) for the disadvantaged.

·
Adopt and implement the act on the rights of
persons with disabilities.

·
Set up a Family and Children’s Advisory Council
and a Youth and Community Action Advisory Council.

2.8         Cooperation between
Morocco, the European Union and the Council of Europe

Develop cooperation between Morocco and the
Council of Europe, in particular in the Council’s areas of expertise, and
identify synergies between the main themes of this cooperation and action in
the context of the Morocco-EU partnership

·
Initiate cooperation between Morocco’s CNDH and
the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights to promote human rights.

·
Ensure Morocco’s gradual accession to the
relevant Council of Europe conventions on the protection of fundamental rights
that are open to the participation of non‑members of the Council of
Europe in accordance with the Council’s accession procedures, in particular the
following:

–
the Convention on Cybercrime and the Additional
Protocol thereto;

–
the Convention on Action against Trafficking in
Human Beings;

–
the Convention on the Exercise of Children's
Rights;

–
the Convention on the Protection of Children
against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse;

–
the Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure
and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism;

–
the Conventions on the Fight against Corruption,
and the Additional Protocol thereto;

–
the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism;

–
the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters, and the second Additional Protocol thereto;

–
the Convention for the Prevention of Torture and
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

–
the Convention for the Protection of Individuals
with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data;

–
the conventions in the field of audiovisual
communication and support for Moroccan accession to the European Audiovisual
Observatory.

·
Implement the tripartite cooperation process.

·
Pursue Partner for Democracy status with the
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

·
Foster cooperation initiatives between Moroccan
local authorities and the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities.

·
Take advantage of the expertise of the
Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), which Morocco joined
in 2007.

·
Align Morocco’s legal framework on that of the
Council of Europe in the field of human rights.

2.9         Fight against corruption

Cooperation in tackling corruption

·
Implement the United Nations Convention and
other relevant instruments in relation to preventing and combating corruption.

·
Continue cooperation with the OECD on preventing
and combating corruption.

·
Continue updating and harmonising Moroccan
legislation on preventing and combating corruption.

·
Implement the action plan of the national
strategy for preventing and combating corruption.

·
Build public capacity for the objective
assessment of policies on preventing and combating corruption.

·
Map corruption risks following a dual approach –
from a regional and sectoral perspective.

·
Increase the transparency, simplification and
automation of procedures at public administration level and implement
e-government objectives.

·
Reinforce inspection, control, monitoring and
accounting institutions with a view, inter alia, to ensuring
transparency in their decisions and developing coordination between them.

·
Strengthen the rules on integrity and
transparency in public finance management, devolved management of public
services and procurement.

·
Establish and develop the role, independence and
capacities of the National Agency on Probity and the Fight against Corruption.

·
Increase civil society participation in the
prevention of corruption.

·
Support the establishment of anti-corruption
legal assistance centres.

·
Strengthen the financial courts, including the
Court of Auditors.

·
Implement the act on the protection of victims
and witnesses of corruption.

To achieve all the objectives in the section
headed ‘Towards an area of shared values’, Morocco will continue in its efforts
to raise awareness among all parties and stakeholders concerned at national
level of the importance of following the principles and values laid down by the
Council of Europe’s European Convention on Human Rights, the EU Charter of
Fundamental Rights, the Partial Agreements of the Council of Europe, and the
relevant EU directives. A list of the items of European legislation to be taken
into consideration for the purposes of this exercise is attached to this
document for information (see Annex I). Efforts to raise awareness will also
entail the national legislature taking these values and principles into account
when formulating national legislation.

3.           Justice and security cooperation

3.1         Judicial cooperation in
civil and criminal matters

Adoption of legislation for judicial
cooperation between States

·
Implement the principal international
conventions, e.g.:

–
the 1965 Hague Convention on the Service Abroad
of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters;

–
the 1970 Hague Convention on Taking of Evidence
Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters;

–
the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects
of International Child Abduction;

–
the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction,
Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Cooperation in Respect of Parental
Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children;

·
Step up the dialogue on the international
protection of children and family law issues in the context of Morocco’s
participation in the Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues,
the ‘Malta Process’ initiated by The Hague Conference on private international
law.

·
Devise practical solutions to anticipate, manage
and resolve conflicts pertaining to parental responsibility, in particular
child abduction.

·
Conclude a cooperation agreement between Morocco
and the European Judicial Cooperation Unit (EUROJUST), taking due account of
the requirements for the protection of personal data.

3.2         Police cooperation

Continue the development of cooperation
between the police authorities of Morocco and the Member States

·
Promote police cooperation on best practices.

·
Enter into a strategic cooperation agreement
between the relevant Moroccan authorities and the European Police Office
(EUROPOL).

·
Conclude a cooperation agreement between Morocco
and the European Police College (CEPOL), and Moroccan participation in CEPOL
training initiatives.

·
Set up a Higher Institute of Crime Prevention.

3.3         Cooperation in action to
combat terrorism

Continue to develop and step up
cooperation on preventing and combating terrorism

·
Step up cooperation on preventing and combating
terrorism, and on prevention, intelligence and judicial and police cooperation
plans.

·
Continue implementation of UN Security Council
Resolutions 1988/11, 1989/11 and 1373/01, and ratify all relevant international
conventions and protocols.

·
Continue cooperation within COTER.

·
Implement anti-terrorism legislation, including
legislation on the prevention of and the fight against terrorism financing,
whilst ensuring due respect for human rights.

3.4         Cooperation in tackling
organised crime

Ratify and implement international
instruments to combat organised crime

·
Implement the United Nations Convention against
transnational organised crime and the Additional Protocols thereto on the
smuggling of migrants by land, air and sea, against the illicit manufacturing
of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, and
on preventing, suppressing and punishing trafficking in persons, especially
women and children.

·
Formulate legislation in accordance with the
relevant international standards and instruments.

·
Formulate legislation on preventing and
combating the trafficking of human beings in line with international standards
and instruments.

·
Step up initiatives aimed at the most vulnerable
groups (women and children).

·
Provide training on mechanisms to prevent and
combat organised crime, and on the trafficking of human beings in particular,
including the identification of, protection for and assistance to victims of
trafficking.

·
Improve instruments for analysing the nature of
the crime, and trafficking and exploitation mechanisms.

·
Exchange information and best practice on
preventing and combating cybercrime.

Develop methods for combating human
trafficking

·
Strengthen the global strategy targeting the
recruiters, transporters and exploiters of these people, other intermediaries,
clients and beneficiaries.

·
Introduce specialised training for judges,
police and border officials.

3.5         Prevention measures and
the fight against drugs and drug-trafficking

Step up efforts to combat
drug-trafficking, including the transport and export of drugs, and drug
addiction, in particular through prevention in the context of the implementation
of the different components of the national anti-drugs strategy

·
Strengthen the national strategy on prevention
and the fight against drugs, including action to cut demand and supply, on
prevention and on developing the regions.

·
Continue dialogue on prevention measures and the
fight against drugs.

·
Initiate cooperation with the European
Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions (EMCDDA), with a view to
operations with the national monitoring centre for drugs and drug addictions.

·
Introduce specialist training initiatives aimed
at law enforcement agencies and staff (in particular the police), care and
treatment.

·
Build capacity at the National Narcotics
Commission.

·
Cooperate in the continued process of
eradicating the cultivation of cannabis and introduce alternative development
programmes.

·
Develop programmes in Morocco for the
prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts, including programmes
developed together with the competent Council of Europe bodies.

·
Develop specific structures for the health and
social care of persons affected by drug addiction.

·
Cooperate in the drafting of laws on the
diversion of chemical precursors and other substances used in the production of
drugs.

3.6         Money laundering and economic and financial crime

Strengthen
cooperation efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism

·
Implement Article 61 of the Association
Agreement.

·
Exchange information on legislation, practices,
European typologies and international instruments (in particular the recommendations
of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)) relating to the prevention of and
fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

·
Continue development of the legal and regulatory
framework for preventing and combating money laundering and the financing of
terrorism in accordance with FATF recommendations.

·
Strengthen national mechanisms for preventing
and combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

·
Strengthen the exchange of information between
the European system of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and the Moroccan
system, in particular in the framework of the Egmont Group.

·
Develop a training programme for judges,
prosecutors, police forces and other authorities concerned.

·
Build the capacity of Morocco’s FIU and strengthen
its role in prevention.

·
Conduct campaigns to raise taxpayer awareness.

·
Develop procedures for monitoring and overseeing
taxpayers.

3.7         Border management,
mobility of persons and migration policy, international protection and asylum

Pursue dialogue on migration, mobility and
security with a view, inter alia, with a view to:

·
better organised legal migration;

·
maximising the positive impact of migration on
development;

·
effectively combating illegal migration and
human trafficking, including cooperation in relation to readmission and better
border controls;

·
promoting international protection and
strengthening asylum policy;

·
promoting and respecting the rights of migrants,
whether they are Moroccan nationals residing in the EU or third-country
nationals in Morocco;

·
promoting initiatives for the integration of
Moroccan migrants legally entering the EU and the social and professional
reintegration of Moroccans returning to their home country.

The objective of the dialogue is to
conclude a Partnership for Mobility under which initiatives on migration,
mobility and security will be agreed and implemented by both parties. The
measures identified through the dialogue might include, for example, better
access to legal migration channels, a relaxation of procedures for obtaining
visas (drawing, for instance, on the EU Visa Code), readmission to the country
of origin, and social and professional reintegration in cases of voluntary
return.

The Partnership for Mobility is designed as
a long-term cooperation framework in line with the Comprehensive Approach to
migration and mobility issues and Moroccan policy on these matters and based on
the policy dialogue and the cooperation that will develop over time out of the
relationship between Morocco and the EU.

Development of international protection and
asylum policy through:

·
the strengthening of Morocco’s legislative and
institutional framework for the right of asylum in line with international
standards and the Moroccan Constitution;

·
the continued implementation of the principles
of the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol thereto, for example in
relation to methods for identifying migrants requiring international
protection, application of the principle of non-refoulement, the consequences
of obtaining refugee status;

·
the strengthening of public migration policies
by taking account of the requirements of international protection and the need
to offer refugees sustainable solutions which would also allow them to be
integrated;

·
continued cooperation with the United Nations
High Commissariat for Refugees (UNHCR) in the framework of its work in Morocco
and the development of national structures to deal with the whole of the asylum
procedure.

3.8         Personal data protection

Ensure a high level of personal data
protection in the development of information-society applications, public
databases and electronic communication

·
Step up cooperation between the National
Commission for the Protection of Personal Data and similar bodies in Europe
responsible for monitoring the processing of personal data.

·
Ensure the protection of personal data in the
context of the development of e‑commerce (electronic signatures, domain
name management, etc.).

4.           People-to-people links

4.1         Parliamentary cooperation

·
Strengthen the role of the EU-Morocco Joint
Parliamentary Committee;

·
Build the Parliament’s technical, organisational
and legislative capacities;

·
Ensure cooperation between Morocco’s Parliament
and the European Parliament with a view to strengthening the partnership
between Morocco and the EU, in particular through the implementation of this
Action Plan.

4.2         Foster exchange and
consultation networks between civil-society stakeholders and involve new
stakeholders

·
Build the organisational, managerial and
advocacy capacity of community stakeholders in Morocco.

·
Foster exchanges between Moroccan and European
NGOs.

·
Facilitate access to new information and
communication technologies by civil society, in particular youth groups and
clubs.

·
Strengthen the role of regional development
agencies in the implementation of cooperation programmes, exchanges of
experience and building the capacities of civil society stakeholders.

·
Establish stronger dialogue between the EU
(including the Agency for Fundamental Rights) and Morocco’s CNDH.

4.3         Develop a structure for
relations between Moroccan local authorities and the EU and with the Committee
of the Regions

·
Step up exchanges between Moroccan and European
local authorities in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local
Assembly (ARLEM).

·
Promote the development of cooperation projects
by local authorities, in particular through development agencies.

·
Promote multi-level governance and cooperation
at different institutional levels.

·
Strengthen local government and set up
modernisation and training programmes for local and regional authorities.

4.4         Cooperation between
Morocco's Economic and Social Council and the European Economic and Social
Committee

Strengthen
ties and promote structured cooperation between Morocco's Economic and Social
Council and the European Economic and Social Committee

·
Establish structured cooperation and regular
dialogue between the two institutions.

·
Promote social dialogue between the social
partners and civil society organisations in Morocco and EU organisations.

·
Exchange information, publications and databases
as a contribution to developing activities and enriching discussions in the two
institutions.

·
Arrange joint conferences on subjects of common
interest.

4.5         Cooperation between the Ombudsman’s office and the European Ombudsman

Establish structured cooperation and
regular dialogue between the two bodies

·
Enhance expertise in the field of mediation.

·
Develop an action programme for the agreement
under negotiation, covering the following:

–
mechanisms to strengthen the rights of citizens
in dealings with public authorities;

–
mechanisms for raising ethical standards in the
public sector;

–
mechanisms for spreading the culture of human
rights and the principles of sound administration.

·
Coordinate action by both institutions within
international bodies.

4.6         Cultural cooperation

·
Complete the procedure for ratifying and
implementing the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the
Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

·
Step up cultural cooperation with a view to
promoting intercultural dialogue.

·
Work in international forums, e.g. UNESCO, to
promote and protect cultural diversity.

·
Promote dialogue and cooperation on preserving
and enhancing the historical heritage and the development of cultural
industries.

·
Step up Morocco’s participation in cultural
cooperation programmes in the Mediterranean region (EuroMed Heritage and
EuroMed Audiovisual) by involving the relevant Moroccan bodies, e.g. the High
Authority of Audiovisual Communication, the Royal Institute for the Amazigh
Culture (IRCAM), the Council for the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), etc.

·
Modernise and improve the management of the
cultural sector (public and private).

·
Develop Morocco’s role in the promotion of
intercultural dialogue by strengthening the cultural industries with a view to
increasing the production and dissemination of audiovisual content reflecting, inter
alia, values and aims shared with the EU.

·
Cooperate with the Council of Europe's
North-South Centre.

·
Cooperate in the redrafting of the Moroccan
National Plan for the Alliance of Civilisations.

B.           TOWARDS A COMMON ECONOMIC AREA

5.           Economic and social reform

5.1         Macroeconomic framework

Consolidate the progress achieved with a
view to improving the macroeconomic performance and promoting growth,
employment and development

·
Further consolidate the stability of the
macroeconomic framework, including promotion of a sustainable current account
position and the development of foreign trade in the economy.

·
Pursue a prudent budget policy with a view to
medium-term budgetary consolidation to ensure the stability and viability of
public finances.

·
Continue the public-debt reduction policy.

·
Build operational capacity in the Central Bank
for implementing a policy on supervising the banking system and controlling
inflation.

·
Strengthen the financial management system, in
particular through exchanges of expertise.

·
Diversify the sources of economic growth.

·
Continue public administration reform.

·
Continue efforts to reform the system of
subsidies for the prices of energy and certain foods so as to reduce the
budgetary burden and ensure the viability of public finances through
appropriate targeting, particularly for the benefit of low-income groups.

5.2         Taxation

Continue the
development of a tax policy and tax administration in line with international
and European standards

Secure the
level of public revenues and improve the equity of the tax system

·
Continue reforming derogation arrangements and
limit the creation of new exemptions.

·
Broaden the tax base.

·
Continue VAT reform by simplifying and improving
its economic neutrality.

·
Continue income tax reforms.

·
Develop taxpayer compliance and introduce
gradual taxation of the informal sector.

Modernisation
of the tax administration

·
Continue computerisation of the services
provided by the Directorate-General of Taxes (DGI).

·
Continue simplification of the tax system, in
particular the harmonisation of deadlines for returns, appeals and penalties.

·
Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of tax
inspection through new approaches, e.g. a risk-based approach combined with
targeting, and by equipping the DGI with automatic audit programming
facilities.

·
Improve internal control systems: traceability
of decisions; internal management procedures; management audit and inspection;
performance-indicator monitoring instrument; scoreboard (tableau de bord); etc.

·
Improve the quality of the service in general,
and of client-handling in particular.

Tax
cooperation and gradual convergence with the European corporation tax system

·
Continue and extend dialogue on implementing the
principles of good tax governance, including the EU code of conduct on business
taxation.

·
Implement the provisions on investment-friendly
taxation of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise provisions.

·
Train DGI managerial staff.

5.3         Management and control of
public finances

Increase the transparency, effectiveness
and efficiency of methods for programming, managing, implementing and
controlling public spending

Continue development of sound management
of public finances

·
Adopt the new Organic Law on the Budget Act
currently being drafted, which establishes the principles of:

–
multiannual programming,

–
performance-based management,

–
budgetary transparency through recasting of the
budgetary structure to focus on the concept of programmes,

–
budgetary sustainability through the
introduction of new rules,

–
a stronger and clearer role for Parliament in
the budget process.

Continue the modernisation of public
accounting, including a gradual switch to accrual systems

·
Extend the public expenditure management
information system.

·
Build the capacity of administrations,
particular decentralised administrations, and managers responsible for budget
management.

·
Modernise the local public finance management
system.

Modernise the system of internal public
expenditure controls

·
Continue building the capacity of the
administrations (Inspectorate General of Finance (IGF), Inspectorate General of
Ministries (IGM) and Inspectorate General of Local Authorities (IGAT))
responsible for auditing and verifying the legality and performance of public
spending.

·
Continue gradual alignment on international
standards and methodologies (International Federation of Accountants – IFAC,
Institute of Internal Auditors – IIA, International Organisation of Supreme
Audit Institutions – INTOSAI) and EU best practices in the area of control and
audit of public revenue and expenditure.

·
Introduce legislation on the accountability of
management (authorising officers), auditors and accountants in the public
sector.

·
Build capacity for more effective implementation
of the legislation on State financial control of State-owned enterprises.

·
Arrange exchanges of experience and expertise
between Moroccan public-finance control and audit bodies and their European
counterparts.

Strengthen the system of external
oversight of public expenditure

·
Strengthen the capacity of the National Audit
Office.

·
Arrange exchanges of experience between
Morocco’s National Audit Office and the external audit bodies of EU Member
States.

·
Underpin budgetary democracy by strengthening
the Parliament’s capacity and powers to scrutinise the adoption and
implementation of the annual budget.

5.4         Structural reforms to make
the Moroccan economy competitive

Structural reform and progress toward a
functioning and competitive market economy

·
Continue the reforms aimed at improving the
business climate, including the ongoing work on the Investment Charter, and
physical infrastructure with a view to sustaining investment, increasing
competitiveness and creating employment.

·
Set up an early warning and consultation
mechanism for measures having an impact on trade and investment.

·
Implement the outline plan for integrated
industrial platforms and business areas under the National Pact for Industrial
Emergence and the Rawaj Plan for trade and distribution.

·
Improve the availability of industrial and
commercial sites.

·
Continue implementation of measures aimed at
increasing productivity and training the labour force in growth sectors of the
economy, in particular those mentioned in the National Pact for Industrial
Emergence (aeronautical, automobile, electronic, offshore, agri-food and
textile industries).

·
Conduct strategic and commercial studies on the
development of industrial sectors and new business niches.

5.5         Employment (including fundamental
social rights and core labour standards) and social policy

Step up dialogue and cooperation on
employment, social policy and gender equality

Promote gender equality

·
Actively promote gender equality at all levels
(employment, education, training, entrepreneurship and decision-making).

·
Pursue policies on equal opportunities and
combating gender stereotyping.

·
Strengthen the protection for pregnant women in
the workplace.

Strengthen fundamental social rights and
core labour standards

·
Establish conditions conducive to the
ratification of ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of
the Right to Organise.

·
Strengthen monitoring of the implementation and
effective application of the legal provisions relating to ILO Conventions 29,
87, 98, 100, 105, 111, 138 and 182.

·
Strengthen mechanisms for monitoring application
of the provisions of labour legislation, including those on child labour.

·
Continue negotiations with the economic and
social partners on the adoption of the organic law on exercising the right to
strike.

·
Develop appropriate and independent social
dialogue structures (bipartite and tripartite), including capacity-building of
the social partners.

·
Promote corporate social responsibility and the
development of business practices complying with the United Nations Global
Compact, the ILO Tripartite Declaration on Multinational Enterprises and Social
Policy and the relevant OECD practices.

·
Strengthen the system for promoting and
monitoring health and safety in the workplace, including through related
training measures, institution of the precautionary principle, the prevention
of occupational risks relating to the handling of dangerous or toxic
substances, and the exchange of best practices and analyses in this area with a
view to reducing accidents and occupational diseases.

·
Align national legislation on the general
principles of the EU directives concerning the prevention of occupational
risks, the protection of health and safety, the elimination of risk and
accident factors, the informing, consultation, balanced participation in
accordance with national laws and/or practices and training of workers and
their representatives[2],
and support its implementation by the National Institute for Working Life.

·
Improve methods for registering accidents at
work and for the transparent and coherent handling of all statistics on such
accidents.

Implement policies on employment,
employability and decent work with a view to generating employment and tackling
unemployment. Promote access to decent productive employment in the official
economy

·
Develop the policy of employment, employability
and decent work in Morocco taking account of the guidelines of the European
strategy on employment and the action framework agreed by the EuroMed
Ministerial Conference on employment in Marrakesh in November 2008, in
accordance with the principles of justice and social equity, and in particular:

–
raise the participation rate in the formal
productive sector and of women, and increase the proportion of the
self-employed in the working population;

–
develop training leading to qualifications
(particularly apprenticeships and sandwich training), in particular for young
people with a view to increasing their employability;

–
ensure that qualifications are more adapted to
labour market requirements, and in particular facilitate the integration of
young people and women into productive, formal employment;

–
implement a system for evaluating and monitoring
job-creation measures in order to increase their effectiveness and tailor them
more to labour market requirements; develop the capacity of the National Agency
for Employment and Skills (ANAPEC);

–
implement the integrated decent work programme
after its adoption by Morocco and the ILO, and monitor its objectives and
indicators.

Promote the adoption and implementation
of a general social protection and inclusion policy scheme

·
Adopt and implement a loss-of-job compensation
scheme.

·
Continue the drive for a sustained reduction in
the numbers of people living in absolute or relative poverty or in a vulnerable
situation.

·
Continue the drive for a sustained reduction in
the levels of social exclusion (e.g. percentage of the population living in
shanty towns).

·
Pursue cooperation with a view to achieving
Morocco’s target of poverty reduction and improving social cohesion.

·
Guarantee active social inclusion for all by
encouraging participation in the labour market, in particular for the most
vulnerable groups.

·
Introduce practical administrative and
regulatory measures for the socio-occupational integration of people with a
disability.

·
Extend compulsory health insurance to all
socio-occupational categories (in particular self-employed workers,
professionals and students).

·
Exchange best practices with a view to extending
the coverage and increasing the level of social protection, in particular for
the most disadvantaged sections of the population.

·
Guarantee the financial sustainability of the
social protection system.

Widen the
system of medical insurance to provide good basic healthcare to the whole population
(in particular the socially disadvantaged)

·
Reduce the average direct expenditure of
households (‘out of pocket’ expenditure), in particular for the most vulnerable
sections of the population.

·
Increase the numbers of people actually covered
by a health insurance or medical care scheme.

Convergence: To implement the above reforms and for
the purposes of regulatory convergence, Morocco must take account, with the
EU's support, of the relevant European directives on health and safety at work
(development of the new legislative and regulatory framework on the prevention
of occupational risks), gender equality, protection against discrimination and
labour law, and of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

5.6         Regional and local
development

·
Consolidate the development process at local
level:

–
strengthen the institutional and financial
resources of municipalities, particularly rural municipalities (‘Communes
2015’);

–
ensure the general application of municipal
development plans (preparation, adoption, periodic review);

–
promote cooperation between municipalities;

–
modernise municipal administration by
introducing computerisation, automation and improving the quality of services
to citizens;

–
strengthen partnership between local
authorities, the private sector and non‑governmental organisations with a
view to the construction and management of local and regional infrastructure
and facilities;

–
exploit the tax potential of local authorities.

·
Ensure a faster reduction in disparities between
regions and between rural and urban areas:

–
formulate and implement regional development
policies and policies focusing on specific areas (e.g. mountain regions);

–
develop and implement regional development plans
in the 16 regions;

–
reduce disparities in access to basic social and
economic infrastructures;

–
build the capacities of regional and local
development stakeholders;

–
at the next joint evaluations (Morocco,
Commission) of the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for
Enterprise, subject to the availability of financing, assess whether the
Charter is known and applied in the country as a whole, including outside
economic development centres, and its impact in the various regions and for
final beneficiaries;

–
step up cooperation through the regional and
crossborder programmes between Morocco and the EU with a view to reducing
imbalances in the development of regions and increasing their prosperity.

5.7         Human and social
development

·
Seek greater efficiency in National Human
Development Initiative (NHDI) projects.

·
Step up monitoring and evaluation of NHDI
projects.

·
Promote micro-projects that create jobs and
generate a steady income.

·
Increase the participation of women, young
people and people with special needs in the NHDI’s governing bodies.

5.8         Sustainable development

·
Implement the sustainable development elements
of the National Charter for the Environment and Sustainable Development by
finalising the framework act.

·
Continue introducing structures and procedures
for strategic planning in the sustainable development field and ensure
coordination between stakeholders.

6            Trade, markets and regulatory reform

6.1         Alignment of Morocco's
legislative framework with that of the EU in these areas

·
Create machinery for identifying differences
between Moroccan legislation and the Community acquis with a view to
facilitating the setting-up of a national convergence programme.

·
Identify priority sectors for regulatory
alignment, the national resources needed and the order of its roll-out.

6.2         Trade relations, including
conclusion of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement

In accordance with the
recommendations of the Euromed road map and the objectives set out in the joint
document on advanced status, the two parties will seek first to conclude a Deep
and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), leading to a common economic
area in the fullness of time.

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

·
Monitor issues concerned with the trade part of
the EU-Morocco Association Agreement, in particular with a view to the
reciprocal elimination of tariff and non-tariff restrictions on the import and
export of goods.

·
Pursue and step up liberalisation of trade in
goods in line with sectoral policies.

·
Implement and monitor the agreement on
liberalisation of trade in agricultural products, processed agricultural
products, fish and fishery products.

·
Train staff and build administrative capacity in
international trade.

Contribute to the creation of the
Euro-Mediterranean free trade area

·
Continue implementation of Free Trade Agreements
with the Mediterranean partners at regional, intra-regional or bilateral
levels.

·
Implement and monitor the agreement on trade
dispute settlement, including support for the training of a core group of
Moroccan international trade arbitrators to participate in dispute settlement
proceedings.

·
Monitor implementation of the Agadir Agreement
in all areas presently covered. Work to increase the number of areas covered,
for example by including services and investment, and encourage extension of
the Agadir Agreement to other countries of the region.

·
Implement initiatives to strengthen the
Euro-Mediterranean partnership, notably the setting-up of a Euro-Mediterranean
mechanism to facilitate trade and investment that will include an early warning
and rapid consultation system for measures that will have an impact on trade
and investment.

·
Strengthen cooperation and dialogue in the
drafting and use of trade defence instruments.

·
Continue the ongoing bilateral negotiations on
liberalisation of the trade in services and right of establishment.

Conclusion
of a DCFTA

·
Start negotiations with the aim of concluding an
EU-Morocco DCFTA that will help their markets to gradually integrate.

·
The DCFTA
negotiations will cover the following sectors
(non-exhaustive list since account will be taken of the priority sectors
selected for legislative alignment:

–
technical regulations on industrial products,
standards and conformity assessment;

–
public procurement;

–
capital movements and payments;

–
protection of intellectual property rights;

–
health and plant health issues;

–
competition policy;

–
customs and trade facilitation;

–
dialogue on trade defence instruments;

–
further liberalisation of trade in services and
investment protection;

–
trade and sustainable development;

–
examination of the possibilities of improving
the preferences granted under the free trade agreement on agricultural
products, processed agricultural products and fishery products, taking into
account agricultural policy and the sensitivity and characteristics of the
products concerned on both sides.

6.3         Facilitate market access for industrial
products

6.3.1      Free circulation of
industrial products (EU harmonised areas)

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

·
In the advanced status framework continue
aligning relevant legislation with the EU acquis and implementing it through
improved infrastructure.

·
Continue alignment of legislation on standards,
technical regulations and conformity assessment with a view to gradual
harmonisation with the European legal framework horizontally and in priority
sectors.

·
Strengthen the institutions responsible for
standardisation (IMANOR), accreditation (COMAC), and conformity assessment,
metrology and market surveillance, including exchanges of information and
expertise and their integration into European and international structures and
organisations, including membership in the European Cooperation for Accreditation
(EA).

·
Negotiate an agreement on conformity assessment
and the acceptance of industrial products (ACAA) in sectors of common interest
where the legislation and standards are the same as in the European Union;

6.3.2      Elimination of restrictions
(EU non-harmonised areas)

Facilitate
the movement of goods and improve administrative cooperation

·
Continue efforts to prevent discriminatory
measures and ensure that the parties concerned have the opportunity to raise
problems.

·
Strengthen the central contact point and the
information point established under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to
Trade in order to facilitate the transmission of information and cooperation
between the EU and Morocco and between traders.

·
Screen Moroccan legislation on the composition,
labelling, manufacture and description of products to bring it into line with
the existing EU general rules.

·
Identify and examine non-tariff barriers and
promote their elimination through the Euromed trade facilitation mechanism.

6.4         Sanitary and phytosanitary
issues

Improve animal and plant health, ensure
food and animal feed safety and facilitate EU‑Morocco trade

·
Continue implementation of the WTO Agreement on
the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and the
international standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Codex Alimentarius.

·
Upgrade rules on animal and plant health, food
safety, animal feed and animal welfare in order to align them on EU rules and
levels of protection, including rules on hygiene, identification and
traceability, live animals, food products, animal feed, fishery products, etc.
In particular:

–
adoption of laws and regulations drawn up and
validated within the EU-funded twinning project 2007-2009;

–
adoption of laws and regulations implementing
Law No 28/07 on food safety.

·
Encourage agri-food industries, including the
fishing industry, to adopt hygiene and safety standards in accordance with Law
No 28/07.

·
Cooperate in the field of pesticide
registration, control of residues and contaminants in food and feed and
measures against to protect against the introduction of organisms harmful to
plants or plant products.

·
Cooperate with the National Office for Food
Safety (ONSSA) in order to:

–
improve the prevention and eradication of
contagious animal diseases;

–
implement the new food safety rules (Law No.
28/07);

–
ensure inspection posts at borders are in
compliance;

–
upgrade laboratories in order to obtain their
accreditation.

·
Continue cooperation with the ONSSA to
implement, in particular, a regionalised animal-health system to facilitate
Morocco's exports under the EU-Morocco free trade agreement in goods.

·
Continue cooperation on health alerts and the
Rapid Alert System (RASFF) in accordance with EU procedures.

·
Continued Moroccan participation in the Trade
Control and Expert System (TRACES).

·
Cooperation with the ONSSA with the aim of
setting up a system of licensing agri‑food establishments (food of animal
origin). This system must:

(a)     protect
consumer health in Morocco;

(b)     serve as a tool to increase
transparency, predictability, and confidence in the controls and so facilitate
trade;

(c)     (be based on an assessment of the
effectiveness of exporting countries' official inspection and certification
systems (rather than specific products or establishments), in accordance with
the principles and guidelines set out in international standards, in particular
Codex Alimentarius Standard CAC/GL 26‑1997;

(d)     ensure that the ONSSA's resources are
used efficiently and effectively.

Convergence:
To achieve these objectives, Morocco will set priorities and adopt the
necessary laws and regulations (e.g. regulations implementing Law No 28/07 on
food safety and draft laws drawn up and validated within the EU funded twinning
project 2007-2009. With EU support, Morocco will take into account the relevant
EU legislation for regulatory convergence in the veterinary and phytosanitary
fields.

6.5         Agriculture and fisheries

Agriculture

Modernisation and capacity-building in
agriculture with a view to trade liberalisation, in accordance with the
perspectives of the Green Morocco Plan (Plan Maroc Vert - PMV)

·
Develop
'solidarity agriculture' (Pillar II of the PMV), in particular small-scale
agriculture in fragile, difficult regions. The following types of priority
actions are proposed to strengthen the partnership programmes:

–
development of Mediterranean arboriculture in
mountainous areas to help reduce poverty;

–
development of traditional local products,
targeting products of interest to both parties;

–
improving economic conditions in agriculture,
particularly as regards mechanisation, marketing, services to small farmers,
technological innovation, research to improve productivity and quality, etc.);

–
development of high quality products, including
organic products;

–
cooperation on geographical indications;

–
conservation of natural resources and
biodiversity.

·
Promote high quality products and consolidate
trade through product networks.

·
Facilitate, strengthen and promote partnerships
between Moroccan and European professional organisations of agricultural
producers.

·
Enter into negotiations on a bilateral agreement
to protect geographical indications three months after the entry into force of
the agreement on the liberalisation of agricultural, agri-industrial and
fisheries trade.

·
Assist Morocco to meet in the short term the
conditions for participation in pilot rural development projects (ENPARD
programme) and in the medium term engage in the multiannual development of the
initiative.

Regulations and standards for
non-sanitary conformity and codes of good practice for agricultural and fishery
products.

·
Align legislation on non-sanitary conformity
standards and codes of good practice for agricultural and fishery products with
a view to gradual harmonisation with European legal framework.

·
Capacity building and support for institutions
in charge of the above work on agricultural and fishery products (the EACCE
(Autonomous Body for Export Control and Coordination), ONSSA and others),
principally through exchanges of information and their integration into
European and international structures.

·
Upgrade skills of professionals dealing with
non-sanitary conformity regulation and standards.

Facilitate trade by eliminating
non-tariff barriers on agricultural and fishery products.

·
Updating of Moroccan legislation on labelling,
composition, manufacture and presentation of food products and descriptions of
agricultural and fishery products.

·
Alignment on general EU principles concerning
labelling of products containing meat, fat content, etc.

Improve implementation of regulatory
alignment under PMV in accordance with the aim of convergence.

·
Build capacity in legal matters and in
agricultural policy making: presentation of internal and external EU
regulations, including the various mechanisms of the common agricultural market
organisations and the CAP.

·
Improve intelligence gathering about products
and markets in support of the new policy to modernise agriculture.

Fisheries

Ensure
implementation of a framework for fisheries governance in line with the content
and objectives of the 'Halieutis Plan' (PH) and with the common fisheries
policy on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fishery resources
and areas of common interest.

·
Ensure sustainability of resources (Objective 1
of the PH):

–
step up scientific research;

–
extend the total authorised catch (TAC)
fisheries management system;

–
modernise the fleet and adapt the fishing
effort;

–
continue efforts to stamp out illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing;

–
stimulate development of aquaculture.

·
Optimise production (Objective 2 of the PH):

–
modernise port infrastructure and landing sites
dedicated to fishing;

–
ensure the effective management of port areas.

·
Enhance the added value of fishery products and
their marketing conditions (Objectives 2 and 3 PH):

–
facilitate manufacturers' access to quality raw
materials;

–
stimulate diversification and direct industrial
output to the most promising markets;

–
structure and revitalise the domestic market;

–
facilitate trade in fishery products to help
establish the free trade area;

·
Mainstream cross-cutting issues:

–
public governance: strengthening the
consultative role of professional associations and encourage dialogue between
different parts of the sector;

–
legal framework: consolidation, clarification
and modernisation;

–
controls and surveillance: to be strengthened
throughout the production chain;

–
quality and hygiene: implementation of means to
ensure traceability throughout the chain (link with 5.4);

–
human resources and employment: creation of an
employment observatory in the fisheries sector (working conditions, enhancing
the status of women, measures for adaptation to the economic environment);

–
creation of competitive hubs.

Convergence: To achieve these objectives Morocco, with EU support, will take account
of the Regulation on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries
resources under the common fisheries policy (Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 and related acts) and of specific provisions of the CFP in areas of
common interest, namely:

–
integration of the environmental dimension;

–
controls, monitoring and surveillance;

–
support for research.

Implementation of the Halieutis Plan in
accordance with the objective of regulatory convergence, mainly focusing on the
sustainability of fishery resources

·
Continue adoption and implementation of an
appropriate new legal framework integrating European rules to stamp out IUU
fishing into Moroccan legislation, in particular Council Regulation (EC) No
1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent,
deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

·
Develop capacity for monitoring and checking
fishing activities and the legal movement of fishery products along the supply
chain. Such capacity entails:

–
human resources trained for this purpose;

–
means for the electronic management of data
consistent with the standards of the EU, the main recipient of Moroccan fishery
products;

–
satellite tracking of the position of fishing
vessels.

·
Continue the adoption and implementation of a
legal framework for the preservation of the marine environment and prevention of
pollution.

·
Provide the National
Fisheries Research Institute (INRH) responsible for monitoring the
quality of the marine environment with appropriate equipment and research and
monitoring resources.

·
Developing the aquaculture industry and
supporting the institution responsible (National Agency for the Development of
Aquaculture) by the adoption of a legal framework that offers incentives and
complies with international standards for the protection of the environment
will encourage investment in this area.

·
Continue modernisation of the fishing fleet
without increasing fishing capacity.

(a)
Ensure the implementation of and full compliance
with the standards adopted in the framework of international and regional
fisheries management organisations, including the International Commission for
the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas (ICCAT) and the General Fisheries Commission
for the Mediterranean (GFCM).

·
Help regulate the fishing effort to match the
level of resource exploitation.

·
Encourage the use of selective fishing gear.

·
Help prevent pollution by vessels.

·
Implement training and health standards and
requirements for seafarers.

·
Step up search and rescue at sea.

6.6         Freedom of establishment,
company law, accounting and auditing

Establishment

Facilitate establishment and improve the
business environment

·
Promote an environment propitious for business
by specifically addressing reform of the judicial system, simplification of
procedures and reducing red tape.

·
Implement measures to support the creation of
online businesses.

·
Strengthen the Moroccan Investment Development
Agency and make it the focal point for foreign investment..

·
Establish regular dialogue with representatives
of foreign investors to improve the conditions of establishment.

·
Strengthen cooperation with Euromed investment
promotion agencies.

Convergence: to achieve these objectives, Morocco will focus on:

–
–        simplification of administrative
procedures (ensuring that the administrative procedures governing access to and
exercise of service activities are transparent, proportionate and based on
objective criteria in order to provide predictability and legal certainty to
service providers);

–
–        supporting service providers in
fulfilling their administrative obligations (by improving the information
available or setting up one-stop shops for service providers);

–
–        the widespread introduction of the
e-regulation system in all Morocco's Regional Investment Centres.

Company law

Harmonisation of company law to protect
all parties and facilitate business activity

·
Improve the protection of shareholders and other
parties in accordance with European standards and practices in this area.

·
Finalise the code of good governance for
different types of enterprise and public entity in accordance with European and
international standards and monitor implementation of all existing codes.

·
Continue support for the Moroccan Institute of
Directors (IMA) to raise awareness of, channel and disseminate the principles
of good corporate governance (meetings, discussion forums, website, etc.) and
to ensure intelligence gathering and research on corporate governance
(publications, studies, observatory of corporate governance).

·
Finalise the modernisation of the business
register and the system of publication in the official bulletin to inform third
parties.

Convergence: to achieve these objectives Morocco, with the support of the EU,
will take into account European standards of company law for regulatory
convergence.

Accounting
and Auditing

Application of European and
international accounting and auditing standards, in particular for listed
companies

·
Continue efforts to promote a high-quality audit
profession.

·
Continue measures undertaken to promote the
adoption and implementation of European and international accounting and
auditing standards for listed companies, in particular:

–
the Fourth Council Directive of 25 July 1978
based on Article 54(3)(g) of the Treaty on the annual accounts of certain types
of companies (78/660/EEC);

–
the Seventh Council Directive of 13 June 1983
based on Article 54(3)(g) of the Treaty on consolidated accounts (83/349/EEC);

–
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application of
international accounting standards;

–
Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council on statutory audit of annual accounts and consolidated
accounts.

6.7 Services, financial services and
postal services

Continue
developing Morocco's service sectors

·
Align Moroccan legislation with EU legislation
on general or sectoral regulation with the aim of harmonising Moroccan
legislation with that of the EU.

·
Promote expansion of e-commerce.

·
Build up evaluation capacity for traded services.

·
On the basis of the framework provided for in
the Protocol on trade in services and establishment, facilitate discussions on
mutual recognition of professional qualifications to facilitate the mobility of
service providers.

Convergence: to achieve these objectives, Morocco will take account of:

–
Directive 2000/31/EC
on e-commerce;

–
Directive 2006/123 on services in the Internal
Market (work on one-shop stops, systematic application of the principles of
administrative simplification and electronic administrative procedures
undertaken for the transposition of Directive 2006/123).

Financial services

Continue
reform of regulation and supervision of financial services (banking, insurance
and capital markets) by alignment on European standards (financial sector
identified as a priority for convergence)

·
Continue implementation of Basel II and
amendments (Basel III).

·
Maintain an adequate system of bank deposit
protection.

·
Continue strengthening the prudential regulatory
framework for financial markets that are converging on that of the EU.

·
Further strengthening of the powers,
effectiveness and independence of the authorities supervising financial
institutions, financial markets and insurance companies in accordance with
international standards, and development of macro‑prudential supervision.

·
Strengthen the institutional and regulatory
framework in order to develop insurance and securities markets

·
Further strengthening of the effectiveness and
credibility of financial supervision in accordance with the recommendations of
the IMF’s Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP).

Convergence: To achieve these objectives Morocco will take account of the EU
acquis (following analysis of the differences and an assessment of priorities
on the basis of a cost/benefit analysis of convergence, and in view of the
means necessary to ensure this convergence. See Annex II.)

Postal services

Continue development of Morocco's postal
sector

·
Exchange experience and expertise on postal
regulation, also with a view to convergence with the EU's regulatory framework.

·
Exchange of experiences with the aim of
improving the quality of services.

·
Exchange of experiences and expertise to enhance
the capacity to evaluate postal markets and growth opportunities offered by
e-commerce.

·
Establish
clear rules on authorisations granted to a service provider working in a postal
segment open to competition

·
Work towards the establishment of clear rules
for the 'universal service': the permanent provision of a postal service of a
specified quality at all points of the territory of a party at affordable
prices for users, specifying the terms of its financing.

·
Ensure that the decisions of the regulatory
authority and the procedures it uses are impartial with respect to all market
participants and prevent anticompetitive
practices in all postal and courier markets.

·
Work towards the establishment, as soon as
possible, of a regulatory authority legally distinct from any provider of
postal and courier services and not linked with any such supplier.

Convergence: Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 15 December on common rules for the development of the internal market
of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of services, as
amended by Directive 2002/39/EC and Directive 2008/06/EC.

6.8         Capital movements and
current payments

Progress towards the gradual opening of
the capital account

·
Progress towards the gradual opening of the
capital account.

·
Exchange of best practices on the transition to
a fully open capital account.

·
Establishment of a mechanism to monitor the
movement of capital.

6.9         Public procurement

Improve the transparency and
effectiveness of procedures for the award of public contracts and concessions

·
Continue alignment of Moroccan legislation on
European standards to ensure openness, transparency, equal access to
information and competition.

·
Establish an effective and independent
dispute-settlement system for procurement procedures.

·
Continue modernisation of the procedures for
administering managing and monitoring the performance of public contracts, in
particular progress in implementing electronic procedures.

·
Standardise the procurement procedures of public
institutions and undertakings specifically designed to meet general-interest
needs that are not of an industrial or commercial nature.

·
Improve purchasing schemes for network operators
in the water, energy, transport and postal sectors.

·
Implement effective training for buyers/authorising
officers of national and local governments, and of officials responsible for
reviewing contract award and performance.

Convergence:

·
For procedures for the award of public contracts
and concessions, Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC.

·
For improving the effectiveness of review
procedures for the award of public contracts and concessions, Directives
89/665/EEC and 92/13/EEC as amended by Directive 2007/66/EC.

6.10       Competition policy

Establish a
modern framework for competition policy and build up the implementation
capacity of the competition regulators

·
Reform Law No 6/99 in order to strengthen the
existing institutional competition machinery by giving a single institution
(the Competition Council, a new constitutional body) full powers to apply
competition policy, managerial autonomy, self-initiative powers with the
possibility of carrying out investigations under judicial control and coercive
decision-making powers, with the possibility of issuing binding rather than
merely advisory opinions.

·
Bolster administrative capacity for the
implementation of competition law and identify possible cooperation measures
(technical market analysis, conducting competition investigations, merger
control, dispute settlement).

·
Coordination and cooperation between the
competition authority and sectoral regulators, while reserving the Competition
Council's exclusive jurisdiction for dealing with anti-competitive practices
and merger control.

·
Ensure specialist training for judges dealing
with competition cases and appeals.

·
Promote the gradual implementation of the
current Moroccan framework legislation, including respect for the principles of
non-discrimination, transparency and procedural fairness.

6.10.1    State aid

Reach a
common definition of state aid, exemptions, and the role of state aid in
competition

·
Regular updating of reports.

·
Place emphasis on a better definition of and
methodology for state-aid accounting.

·
Step up exchanges of information on state aid
and direct budget support and assess their impact on competition.

·
Establish a common definition of state aid and
its compatibility with competition principles.

6.11       Intellectual and industrial
property

Ensure a
gradual alignment of provisions to reach the level of protection provided by
the EU and strengthen their effective implementation, taking into account the
harmonisation of national legislation with the WTO agreement on the protection of intellectual property rights (TRIPS)

Specific objectives

·
Alignment of Moroccan legislation on that of the
EU[3]:

–
identify existing differences in the field of
industrial property rights (patents, designs, trademarks, etc.);

–
draw up and adopt legislation for legislative
approximation, in particular covering patents, designs and trade marks (see
ongoing cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO));

–
analyse existing differences in copyright and
related rights and develop and implement legislation incorporating this
necessary legislative alignment.

·
Administrative and judicial capacity building:

–
step up the implementation of intellectual
property rights, deterrence and effective law enforcement (justice, customs,
etc.);

–
pursue and develop the objectives of the
Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office (OMPIC) in the period up to
2015;

–
identification of needs and training, analysis
and improvement of IT systems and information gathering (OMPIC);

–
needs analysis and administrative
capacity-building of the Moroccan Copyright Bureau (BMDA);

–
continue collaboration with the EPO and the EU's Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office(OHIM);

·
Coordination, cooperation and awareness-raising
in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy:

–
step up
efforts to ensure effective implementation of intellectual property rights,
including reinforced judicial monitoring;

–
continue efforts on the ground and increase
resources to stamp out counterfeiting and piracy by endowing customs and the
judiciary greater administrative capacity and powers;

–
analyse and evaluate the impact of
counterfeiting and piracy on national creativity and innovation;

–
sensitise public opinion to the importance of
intellectual property rights for the country's economic growth;

–
cooperation with the private sector and other
relevant institutions and regular action against counterfeiting and piracy
(Action Plan of the National Industrial Property
and Anti-Counterfeiting Committee/CONPIAC), dialogue with associations,
etc.).

·
Cooperation and negotiations:

–
conclude negotiations on a validation agreement
with the EPO;

–
continue and step up cooperation with agencies
of the Member States and other countries and with OMPIC;

–
cooperate in implementing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
and in coordinating the fight against counterfeiting;

–
continue alignment of Moroccan legislation on
that of Europe, finalise accession to agreements provided for in Article 39 of
the Association Agreement and implement principles of the Euro-Mediterranean
Charter for Enterprise concerning innovation.

Convergence: to achieve these objectives, Morocco will take account of: the
existing EU acquis; See Annex II.

6.12       Customs

Further capacity-building of customs
administrations and harmonisation of customs legislation with international and
EU standards and continued implementation of customs measures facilitating
trade while also ensuring the security of the international supply chain

·
Implement the procedure for mutual recognition
of Authorised Economic Operators (AEO):

·
analyse AEO procedure and status in Morocco;

·
step up dialogue on the AEO system on the basis
of the analysis of the AEO procedure and status in Morocco with a view to
mutual recognition of AEOs.

·
Continue work on coordinated management with
other border stakeholders (one‑stop shop).

·
Conclude Regional Convention on
pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin, followed by its
implementation.

·
Morocco's association
and participation upstream in the revision of the pan-Euro-Mediterranean rules
of origin contained in the Convention.

·
Reform of the control chain:

–
improve ex ante controls through the
organisation of workshops, visits to operational pilot units, access to
business information and the creation of databases on the movements of means of
transport and goods;

–
improve the ex post control system through the
use of best practices and the provision of technical resources in the form of
dedicated applications;

–
increase Moroccan Customs' use of computerised
risk analysis and exchanges of computerised trade data (Globally Networked
Customs);

·
Develop public/private partnership, particularly
in the framework of the Integrity Observatory to give this body an effective
role on the basis of the principles of the Arusha Declaration of the World
Customs Organisation (WCO).

·
Apply and regularly adapt the Combined
Nomenclature.

·
Implement Morocco's participation in the
Community 'Customs 2013' Programme and all future customs programmes open to
third countries.

6.13       Enterprise policy

Morocco undertakes to implement the
Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise, which has become a common reference
document for the Mediterranean countries, including Morocco, with the aim of
improving the investment climate, stimulating entrepreneurial spirit, and
promoting investment and market access in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

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

·
Improve the business
environment and continue implementation of the Euro‑Mediterranean
Charter for Enterprise, taking into account the findings of the joint
assessment carried out in 2008 on the basis of 77 indicators concerning the ten
dimensions of the Charter[4].
Strive to make progress in the following areas in particular:

–
regulatory reform and administrative
simplification;

–
access to financing;

–
innovation policy;

–
human capital (learning entrepreneurship and
developing skills).

·
Encourage interministerial coordination and
coordination of all actors in the public and private sectors involved in
business development and the promotion of innovation.

·
Encourage the work of the National Business
Environment Committee (CNEA), which as a public-private partnership framework
has helped to speed up the identification and implementation of reforms
affecting the business environment, particularly simpler and more transparent
administrative procedures, the modernisation of the legal environment for
business, and improved commercial dispute-settlement arrangements.

·
Establish regional business environment
committees.

·
Jointly assess progress in the country and the
benefits for companies taking part in regional activities to evaluate and
benchmark progress based on common indicators.

·
Revise the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for
Enterprise to better take into account the needs of small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) taking inspiration from the Small Business Act for Europe.
Pay special attention to gender equality, corporate social responsibility and
environmental protection.

·
Improve welcome for investors and anchor local
investment.

·
Develop industrial, commercial and technology
infrastructure, including innovation zones and promotion of clusters.

·
Create an environment conducive to the
development of research and innovation.

·
Improve access to industrial land by
facilitating property transactions and granting of building permits.

·
Mobilise local businesses around foreign
investment to stimulate innovation and domestic economic development.

·
Encourage the setting-up and work of the
Moroccan Centre for Innovation (CMI).

·
Create the status of 'new innovative
undertaking' and 'auto-entrepreneur'.

·
Increase support for all small enterprises
(VSEs) as part of a national strategy for this category of enterprise.

·
Improve judicial remedies for enterprises
(including SMEs) by developing alternative methods of dispute settlement
(mediation and arbitration).

·
Improve the quality and delivery time of
judicial decisions issued by commercial courts.

·
Strengthen cooperation with Mediterranean
partners to fight against counterfeiting and piracy, including exchanges of
information and experience in this field.

·
Implementation and deployment by the National Agency for the
promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (ANPME) of the
Morocco SME Observatory as a tool for analysis and monitoring of the business
fabric.

6.14       Industrial cooperation

Make research
capital more attractive

·
Promote technology transfers and industrial
partnership.

·
Set up zones for business incubators and
spin-off activities with R&D support in potential growth sectors for
Morocco.

·
Encourage twinning and partnerships with European
clusters.

·
Increase exchanges of experiences and best
practices in research and development and industrial innovation, including
aspects related to the establishment of clusters, technology platforms and
technology parks on the lines of innovation zones.

·
Develop partnership initiatives to support the
emergence and development of industrial activities related to renewable energy
a part of the national energy strategy.

Continue dialogue on
the future of the textile/clothing industry

·
Continue to step up exchanges of best practices
among national authorities, industry associations, companies, research centres
and other social partners involved in the Euro-Mediterranean region's textiles
and clothing industry.

·
Intensify discussions not only on the challenges
facing the textiles and clothing sector but also on possible future options and
concrete actions to modernise the industry and increase industrial
competitiveness in textiles and clothing in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Promote dialogue on industry

·
Step up exchanges of good practices and
discussions between national partners involved in industry, not only on the
challenges faced by industry but also on possible future directions and
concrete actions to modernise the national industrial fabric and increase
Morocco's industrial competitiveness.

·
Strengthen dialogue in several sectors and/or
areas related to industrial policy such as SME policy, tourism, space, raw
materials, standardisation and ACAA.

Promote the sustainable development of
enterprises

·
Promote the transfer of technologies and good
management and restructuring practices and the sharing of expertise in order to
support the development efforts of Moroccan companies.

Implement regional
work programmes of Euro-Mediterranean industrial cooperation and monitor them
with Morocco's participation

·
Involvement in Euro-Mediterranean industrial
cooperation at regional level.

6.15       Consumer protection

·
Continue Morocco's legislative alignment on the
EU acquis and finalise its legislative framework for consumer protection.

·
Build administrative capacity for the effective
and practical application of the consumer protection policy, including the High
Consumer Council and the Moroccan Consumer Centre.

·
Morocco's continued promotion of independent
Moroccan consumer protection associations and setting-up of a fund to finance
projects proposed by Moroccan consumer associations.

·
Establishment of the Moroccan Consumer Centre.

6.16       Workers and social security
coordination

Fully implement the commitments made
under the Association Agreement concerning workers and social security
coordination

·
Implement social security coordination
arrangements in accordance with the existing legislation.

·
ensure that provisions on equal treatment at
work, remuneration and dismissal are fully implemented, both for Moroccan
workers and legally employed EU nationals.

·
ensure full application of the clause on
non-discrimination in the area of social security for workers and members of
their families;

6.17       Statistics

Complete
harmonisation of Moroccan standards with European and International standards

·
Adopt and implement draft laws on statistics and
continue implementation of the 2013-2017 action plan.

·
Continue work to harmonise statistical data and
methods to ensure the compatibility of statistics with EU best practice.

·
Continue quantitative and qualitative
improvement and development of the national statistics system.

·
Establish an observatory on industry, trade and
new technologies and an innovation observatory.

·
Cooperation between the Moroccan Exchange Office
and European institutions responsible for drawing up balance-of-payments
statistics.

7.           TRANSPORT, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT,
INFORMATION SOCIETY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

7.1         Transport and
infrastructure

7.1.1      Develop the infrastructure
network (roads, motorways, airports, ports and links to Trans-European
networks)

Implement the national transport and
infrastructure policy by creating a good quality, efficient, competitive and
sustainable transport system based on the following:

·
Consolidate and enhance the policy to develop
and maintain transport infrastructure and to link them with regional networks,
including the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), also encouraging
private participation in the sector.

·
Make the Moroccan economy logistically
competitive, in particular by establishing logistic areas, developing
stakeholders and human resources, and optimising the flow of goods.

·
Promote mobility and sustainable transport by
developing efficient transport systems that preserve the environment and ensure
the safety of property and people.

·
Promote the harmonisation of legislative and
regulatory frameworks with European and international standards in the field of
transport.

·
Develop a national framework for the formulation
and monitoring of sustainable urban development plans for users and freight in
the major cities.

Regional aspect

·
Continue participation in the planning exercise
for transport infrastructure in the Mediterranean, in particular the future
Trans-Mediterranean Transport Network and work on establishing the means for
implementing it, plus improving links with the Trans-European Transport Network.

·
Continue participation in the development of
satellite augmentation systems, global navigation systems, and applications
based on this technology in the Mediterranean region and in the new regional
Euromed GNSS II satellite navigation project.

·
Take the necessary facilitation measures, in
accordance with Regional Transport Action Plan (RTAP),
to improve the functioning of the transport network in order to improve traffic
flows between Morocco, regional partners and the EU.

7.1.2      Road transport and road
safety

Implement
selected measures and reforms concerning road transport and road safety

·
Explore the possibility of opening the
'Interbus' agreement to Morocco in order to harmonise its international road
passenger transport practices and rules with European standards and promote
their application between Morocco and EU
countries.

·
Develop an integrated intermodal public
transport system.

·
Promote European and international road safety
standards.

·
Implement a certification scheme for both
passenger and goods transport in
order to ensure equal treatment in the freight
sector and stimulate public passenger transport.

·
Strengthen the capacity of bodies to implement
social-law standards and technical requirements in accordance with
international and EU conventions on the transport of dangerous goods, the
deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems and driving and rest times.

7.1.3      Rail transport

Implement selected measures and reforms in the rail transport sector

·
Promote the interoperability of Moroccan and
European rail networks.

·
Cooperate on the
deployment of the European
Rail Traffic Monitoring System (ERTMS) in order to reach international
standards and further improve the safety of
rail traffic.

Regional aspect

·
Explore the benefits of regional cooperation in
order to improve the efficiency, safety, and interoperability of land transport
services (road, rail and urban).

·
Continue the harmonisation of legislative and
regulatory frameworks with European and international standards at regional
level.

7.1.4      Air transport

Implement selected measures and reforms
in air transport

·
Continue implementation of the existing national
aviation policy and revise aviation regulation by adopting the draft civil
aviation code.

·
Ensure implementation of all parts of the 2006
Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement, in particular as regards the process of
regulatory convergence provided for in the Agreement.

·
Cooperate closely in the field of aviation
security, including implementation of a safety-equipment development programme
to improve radar coverage and the performance of the automatic air-traffic
control system.

·
As part of the process of regulatory convergence
under the 2006 Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement, explore the possibility
of Morocco's participation in the Single European Sky. To this end, Morocco's
speedy participation in the 'Single Sky' committee will be discussed.

·
Continue cooperation on air traffic management.

·
Pursue Morocco's progressive participation in
the EU Safety Assessment Of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) programme following the
working arrangement signed with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on
23 March 2011.

·
Initiate dialogue with the EU to put in place
arrangements to facilitate access to disabled aircraft removal equipment at
Morocco's international airports.

·
Initiate dialogue with the EU to find a process
to bring aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) staff up to international
and/or European standards, especially in the choice and purchase of rescue and
firefighting equipment and in staff training, qualifications and/or
certification.

Regional aspect

·
Continue the harmonisation of legislative and
regulatory frameworks with European and international standards at regional
level.

·
Continue cooperation with the EU and
Mediterranean partners through participation in the regional Euromed Aviation
project.

·
Continue cooperation and assistance on safety
issues through the Mediterranean Aviation Safety Cell (MASC) within the EASA.

7.1.5      Maritime transport

Implement selected measures and reforms
in the maritime sector

·
Step up cooperation with the EU in order to
align Moroccan maritime safety policy on that of the EU.

·
Develop a dialogue on the development of port
infrastructure, improvement of port services, harmonisation of port procedures,
the management and planning of the maritime space, maritime and port security
and safety, and improved shipping services between the EU and Morocco, including
motorways of the sea.

·
Apply effective maritime security measures by
implementing Port State Control and Flag State systems and build institutional
capacity in maritime administration to enable it to assume its responsibilities
in the areas of security, safety and maritime pollution prevention and control.

·
Implement IMO (International Maritime
Organisation) international conventions and resolutions of the Marine
Environment Protection Committee.

·
For ports identified as ports of motorways of
the sea, ensure fast, efficient and inexpensive administrative procedures
(administrative procedures and coordination of inspections) and high standards
of service (port infrastructure, port services, and maritime and intermodal
services).

·
Resume dialogue with the Commission on
development of a cooperation plan, including capacity building, pollution
prevention and control in the Mediterranean, with a view to Morocco's
participation in the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Regional aspect

·
Continue participation in regional cooperation
on maritime policy, ports and short sea shipping.

·
Continue cooperation with the EU and
Mediterranean partners within the International Maritime Organisation and
continue participation in the Euromed regional projects on maritime safety and
security (SAFEMED) and the Motorways of the Sea (MEDAMOS).

7.1.6      Supply chain

Implement
selected measures and reforms in the logistics sector

·
Continue implementation of the new national
development strategy for logistic competitiveness.

·
Establish a dialogue on the supply chain with
the aim of involving Morocco in actions to improve the supply chain and its
security launched by the EU in 2007.

7.1.7      Transport professions

Ÿ             Initiate dialogue
with the EU in order to establish mutual recognition of professional licenses
for transport professions, including seafaring and flight crews.

Convergence: to
achieve these objectives Morocco, with the support of the EU, will take into
account European standards for road, rail, air, and maritime transport and the ports
sector.

7.2         Energy

Step up dialogue and convergence of
energy policies and institutional and legislative frameworks with a view to the
progressive integration of Morocco's energy market in that of the EU, taking into account
environmental issues in particular.

·
Implement energy strategies that are
increasingly aligned on EU strategies and based on the objectives of security
of supply, competitiveness and sustainable energy.

·
Continue formulating and implementing low CO2
emission development strategies.

·
Implement Morocco's medium and long-term energy
strategy (2020-2030) and the National Priority Action Plan.

·
Step up the existing dialogue on energy under
the Association Agreement.

·
Develop and implement a 2020 vision to
strengthen institutions, especially the Ministry of Energy and Mines, including
its regional dimension.

·
Strengthen the monitoring and intelligence
system with a view to better energy forecasting and planning, including energy
statistics, in particular through exchanges of information and expertise and
capacity building with the aim of alignment on European standards.

·
Exchanges of expertise and experience in order
to intensify and accelerate policy convergence with the Community acquis,
particularly as regards the gas and electricity sectors, practices and
legislative, institutional, organisational, technical and regulatory frameworks
for the sector energy.

·
Energy diversification:

–
cooperation to establish the necessary
conditions for developing the use of natural gas: legislative and regulatory
framework, and technical and support services;

–
cooperation to develop alternative energy
sources: technical research and development into oil shale and shale gas.

·
Establish the national energy regulation scheme,
in particular for electricity and natural gas, and gradually converge with the
EU's electricity and gas Directives. To that end, adopt electricity and gas
codes and their implementing rules.

·
Continue reform of the electricity and gas
markets in order to improve their performance and gradually liberalise them in
line with the EU acquis.

Stepping up regional energy
cooperation.

·
Strengthen Morocco's role in regional energy
cooperation, particularly with an eye to implementation of the Mediterranean
Solar Plan, in line with the 2008-2013 Priority Action Plan of the
Euro-Mediterranean Energy Partnership and with the objectives of the Union for
the Mediterranean.

·
Continue cooperation in regional initiatives and
projects.

·
Consolidate and strengthen existing
interconnections and transit infrastructure in Morocco in order to connect the
electricity and gas networks of the northern and southern Mediterranean.

·
Gradually integrate the electricity markets of
Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

·
Build Moroccan capacity for regional storage of
energy products.

·
Facilitate the funding of energy infrastructure:
gradual alignment of the Moroccan system on EU practices, in particular the
storage of energy products.

Cooperation on nuclear safety

·
Cooperation to establish the necessary
conditions for developing a civil nuclear electricity programme: exchange of
information and experiences, provisions on nuclear safety and radiological
protection.

·
Exchange of expertise and experience for the
purpose of developing a regulatory framework aligned on EU rules and practices,
and in particular ensuring the highest levels of nuclear safety and adequate
protection against ionising radiation.

·
Cooperation to set up in Morocco an independent
national agency to monitor nuclear safety and radiation protection.

Promotion of energy efficiency

·
Continue energy efficiency actions under the
National Priority Action Programme, especially in industry, housing, public
buildings, transport and tourism.

·
Strengthen the institutional and organisational
framework, including the Agency for the Development of Renewable Energies and
Energy Efficiency.

·
Implement regulatory measures converging towards
EU rules and the necessary incentives, innovative financing mechanisms
(third-party investor, CDM, etc.) and education, awareness and communication
measures.

·
Participation in the EU's Intelligent Energy
Programme.

Development and use of renewable
energy sources

·
Achieve national renewable energy-development
goals and implement the Moroccan Solar Plan and the Moroccan Wind Energy
Project.

·
Continue large-scale and small-scale actions to
develop renewable energy (solar water heaters, on- and off-grid photovoltaics,
biomass, etc.) and export of green electricity, including incentives and
innovative financing mechanisms

·
Strengthen the institutional and organisational
framework, and draw up and implement action plans in these areas for
convergence towards EU rules.

·
Develop national biomass capacity.

·
Cooperate on research, development and
innovation for sustainable development.

·
Establish centres and institutes conducting
research and development into sustainable energy technologies, energy
efficiency and renewable energy: decide on research topics; set up research
units; improve skills.

·
Strengthen the academic curriculum of training
institutes under the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy in these areas.

·
Implement platforms of excellence and technology
parks bringing together innovative companies, research centres and training
organisations, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, energy
efficiency and desalination of sea water through the use of solar energy.

·
Deploy nationwide technologies and materials
that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, including the development
of industrial clusters and the implementation of research and development programmes.

Safeguarding and checking energy
facilities

·
Enhance the safety and security of energy
installations and equipment and of the system of technical inspections and risk
prevention for such installations.

·
Exchanges of experience and expertise with a view
to building technical capacity in the Ministry of Energy's energy laboratory,
particularly with regard to hydrocarbon quality control.

·
Exchanges of experiences and expertise
concerning the certification of the Ministry of Energy's energy laboratory.

·
Cooperate on the implementation of a risk
prevention and control strategy in the energy and mining sectors and for
explosives and pressure equipment.

7.3         Mining

Step up cooperation and partnerships
for development of the mining sector

·
Build capacity for mining regulation,
development of small-scale mining, mining operations and exploration,
management of mining and geological assets, development of the geological
infrastructure and geographic information systems.

·
Environmental protection and rehabilitation of mining
sites and conversion of mining areas after mine closures.

·
Set up and develop an information system on
mining and oil assets and on mining statistics.

·
Organise and develop the mineralogical specimens
and fossils sector.

7.4         Environment and water

Promote
good environmental governance, including greater convergence towards EU
legislation and policies

Strengthen
administrative structures and strategic planning

·
Step up and complete the setting-up of Moroccan
institutions responsible for environmental protection, pollution control and
water management at central, regional and local levels, including greater
coordination and consultation between the various stakeholders.

·
Build strategic planning capacity, including for
financial strategies, drawing on the experience of the EU.

·
Create and render operational corps of
inspectors to enforce compliance with environmental laws in Morocco.

·
Apply market instruments (such as environmental
taxes) and the 'polluter pays' principle, including the setting-up of an environmental
liability system.

Environmental assessments

·
Strengthen environmental impact assessment,
including national and regional committees for impact studies and commissions
of public inquiry, bringing it into line with EU legislation.

·
Strengthen the strategic environmental
assessment of plans and programmes.

Support for civil society actors and
public participation

·
Support civil society actors and increase public
participation in environmental issues, drawing on the EU's experience and best
practices.

Availability of and access to
information

·
Improve the system of collecting and processing
environmental information in Morocco, drawing on the EU's experience and best
practices.

·
Enhance public access to environmental
information and render effective the law on the public's right to access
environmental information and decisions taken on the environment.

Communication and dissemination of
information

·
Develop and implement communication strategies
on environmental matters.

·
Draw up and publish regular reports on the state
of the environment at national or regional levels.

Promote
environmental sectors, including alignment and convergence towards EU
legislation and policies in this area

Air quality

·
Promote better management of air quality (limit
values, alert thresholds, establishment and classification of areas and cities,
the establishment of a system for monitoring and evaluating air quality) in
order to improve public health and environmental quality, drawing on EU
legislation.

·
Develop and implement action plans to combat air
pollution, including crossborder pollution.

Protection
of the marine environment

·
Promote protection of the marine environment,
including conservation of marine ecosystems.

·
Adopt legislation on integrated coastal zone
management.

Waste management

·
Implement a national waste-management strategy.

·
Promote the establishment of an integrated
network of waste-management facilities, including industrial waste treatment
centres.

·
Implement a system for licensing and registering
waste treatment facilities and a system for inspection and supervision of these
facilities based on the principles of EU legislation and professionalise the
informal sector.

Nature
protection

·
Continue setting up a system of protected areas
based on EU principles and best practices.

·
Continue implementation of the strategy to
protect and restore forest ecosystems,
reduce deforestation and continue reforestation operations in accordance with
the Reforestation Management Plan (PDR). Continue work under way on
forest certification (Forest Stewardship Council/FSC).

·
Improve scientific knowledge of the country's
biodiversity (species, ecosystems, problems of taxonomy).

·
Rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and adopt
measures to promote the recovery of threatened species in partnership with the
local population.

·
Implement national legislation on trade in
wildlife to meet obligations under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora threatened with extinction.

Pollution
and industrial hazards

·
Establish an integrated system of prevention and
control of pollution from large industrial facilities, drawing on European best
practices.

·
Establish a system for control of hazards
arising from major accidents involving dangerous substances, drawing on
European standards and best practices.

Chemicals

·
Adopt standards on the registration, evaluation
and authorisation of chemical substances drawing on EU legislation and best
practices.

·
Adopt a strategy for the gradual replacement of
chemicals that are most dangerous to human health and the environment.

Desertification,
including soil protection measures

·
Implement measures under the plan to combat
desertification and protect the soil.

Capacity for
licensing, monitoring and inspection

·
Strengthen the administrative capacity of the
Moroccan authorities responsible for environmental protection and water
management to carry out licensing, monitoring and inspection.

Environmental
mainstreaming

·
Promote the mainstreaming of environmental
considerations in other sectors such as water, forests, agriculture, education,
energy, transport, fisheries, industry and research.

Strengthening
regional and international environmental cooperation

International
cooperation

·
Step up implementation of environmental
conventions and protocols to which Morocco is party and move towards
ratification of additional environmental conventions and protocols that are
part of the EU's legal system.

Regional
cooperation

·
Increase cooperation under the Convention on the
Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the
Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its protocols.

·
Continue cooperation in the framework of Horizon
2020.

·
Increase cooperation in the context of the
regional activities of the European Agency for the Environment, including systems
of shared environmental information.

Convergence: To implement these reforms Morocco, with EU
support, will gradually take into account the relevant European standards in
the areas of environmental good governance, air quality, waste management, water
management and protection of the marine environment, nature protection,
industrial pollution and chemicals.

Climate change

·
Step up and complete the establishment of
Moroccan institutions responsible for climate issues.

·
Implement the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change. Draw up and implement plans and strategies for
climate-change mitigation and adaptation.

·
Draw up inventories of greenhouse gas emissions.

·
Cooperate in the development and implementation
of a post-2012 climate change regime.

·
Cooperate on climate-change mitigation and
adaptation.

·
Cooperate on implementation of the Cancun and
Durban Agreements.

·
Promote a low-emission development strategy
(LED) as a contribution to the development of a green economy.

·
Promote appropriate national mitigation actions
(NAMAs), including sectoral credit mechanisms.

·
Promote the mainstreaming of climate change in
the decision-making process.

·
Conduct initial preparations for a greenhouse
gas emission trading scheme.

·
Integrate climate-change priorities in
agriculture: increase levels of fruit plantation; use improved seeds and
varieties suited to the climate; spread water-collection techniques and
optimise irrigation; make available the results of agricultural research to
benefit agricultural development.

Water

Implement the national water strategy
in order to consolidate assets and ensure integrated water-resource management

·
Promote management of water demand and water
efficiency by:

–
saving irrigation water through a wholesale
changeover to drip irrigation and more efficient water use in agriculture;

–
implementing a wastewater treatment system for
agricultural use based on the principles of EU legislation;

–
saving water used as drinking water and in
industry and tourism.

·
Promote the preservation and protection of water
resources, the natural environment and fragile areas by:

–
protecting the quality of water resources and
combating pollution;

–
implementing a system to improve the quality of
sewage discharged by municipalities and industry;

–
safeguarding groundwater and watersheds, oases
and wetlands;

–
implementing a system to improve water quality,
including bathing water, drawing on the principles of EU law.

·
Reduce vulnerability to natural water-related
hazards and adapt to climate change by:

–
improving flood protection for persons and
property and combat the effects of drought through drought-management plans for
river basins;

–
completing implementation of measures in the
National Flood Prevention Plan;

–
improving prevention, in particular by
developing flood-warning systems and emergency plans.

·
Continue regulatory and institutional reforms by
completing implementation of Law 10/95 and revising the law to embrace aspects
not covered, i.e. water saving and the recycling of treated wastewater.

·
Modernise information systems and build up
capacity and skills by:

–
modernising the administration, revamping and
strengthening water governance and water basin organisations;

–
strengthening and modernising the system for
collecting and processing water-related information in Morocco by establishing
a national water information system, drawing on the EU's experience and best
practices;

–
building the administrative capacity of the
Moroccan authorities responsible for water management in the field of water
policy, issuing permits, monitoring and inspection, while converging towards
European legislation in this field;

–
developing and implementing communication
strategies and awareness-raising on water issues;

–
build strategic planning capacity, including
financial strategies, drawing on the EU's experience.

·
Water-resources management and development:

–
Promote and develop non-conventional water
resources, such as desalination of sea water, demineralisation of brackish
water, recycling of treated wastewater and rainwater collection.

7.5         Information society

·
Analyse the opportunities for better cooperation
between the EU and Morocco on the information society, and more specifically
development synergies between the 'Maroc Numéric' strategy and the Digital
Agenda for Europe.

·
Continue the development and effective
implementation of a comprehensive regulatory framework for electronic
communications, including the authorisation of, access to and interconnection
of networks and services, universal service and users' rights, consumer
protection, the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in
electronic communications, and the efficient management of the radio frequency
spectrum.

·
Continue to develop regulation in the following
priority areas:

–
study the introduction of authorisation schemes
for the provision of electronic communications services;

–
make progress in market analysis, for example by
analysing the market for wholesale (physical) network infrastructure access
(including shared or fully unbundled access) at a fixed location, and wholesale
broadband access. The main aim is to ensure the effective and appropriate
implementation of access obligations (carrier selection and pre-selection,
bit-stream access, unbundled access, etc.) with respect to operators with
significant power over the relevant markets;

–
facilitate fixed and mobile portability with
better implementation of the process (time taken for number portability between
operators, service disruption period for the consumer, maximum contract
duration, penalties for abuse or anti‑competitive behaviour, etc.);

–
ensure the effective implementation of measures
regarding the confidentiality of electronic communications and unsolicited
communications (spam).

·
Formulate and implement arrangements for
improving the security of information systems and protecting critical data and
infrastructure; promote robust and stable networks and services in line with
the principles of openness and interoperability.

·
Strengthen the standards and architecture of
e-government applications in order to create a general interoperability
framework of public information systems based on the EIF (European
Interoperability Framework).

·
Establish specifications, norms and standards
for SMEs/SMIs' Business to Business (B2B) electronic transactions in order to virtualise
exchanges and streamline business transactions in consultation with the
independent European bodies in these fields (e.g. CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, etc.).

·
Promote cooperation and reciprocal exchanges of
information on strategies relating to electronic communications and networks,
use of the radio-electric spectrum, the system of licenses and intellectual
property rights in the digital domain, the development of electronic
transactions to promote B2B exchanges and the future development of the
information society at national, regional and global levels.

·
More specifically, press ahead with
implementation of Morocco's new digital strategy 'Maroc Numéric' for dialogue
and cooperation on information society technology (ICT):

–
open greater numbers of community access centres
to expand the number of people with access to new technologies (high-speed
internet and public services), particularly in remote and rural areas, with the
aim of reducing the digital divide;

–
support national digital development for
cultural and educational purposes, combining public and private initiatives and
international partnerships;

–
study the opening-up of public data and licences
for use and re-use for citizens and businesses;

–
encourage civil-society involvement in
implementation of the 'Maroc Numeric' strategy among citizens in information
technology and telecommunications;

–
promote a culture of entrepreneurship and ICT
innovation in the private sector and in curricula and training courses and
programmes;

–
exchange information and best practices in the
field of certification of electronic signatures and of secure communications
and electronic transactions;

–
support the development and rolling-out of a
national programme to migrate to the IPv6 internet addressing system.

·
Strengthen all forms of cooperation with the EU
on standards for information technology and communications, especially for
digital TV, digital mobile networks and the internet of the future, for the
connectivity of high-speed networks in development (next phase of EUMEDCONNECT),
and for the regulatory framework of technological developments in the
information society.

–
encourage Moroccan participation, both public
and private and in the form of joint projects, in the Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) components of European research and innovation
programmes, particularly in areas concerning major societal challenges and the
development of high-speed network infrastructure and data for research;

–
promote the strengthening of regional
cooperation with the EU, national research with European partners, and links
with or the launching of joint research networks and exchanges of researchers
with the EU;

–
plan the launching a Euro-Mediterranean research
programme more adapted to the environment and to the development of the
Mediterranean region.

·
Promote free access to the internet and
cooperation with regulators in the southern Mediterranean.

·
Cooperate with the Euromed Group of Electronic
Communications Regulators (EMERG) and with regulatory authorities of EU Member
States on issues of common interest.

7.6         Science and technology,
research and innovation

Promote research and innovation
capacity-building aimed at developing the economy and society and increase
Morocco's involvement in the European Research Area

·
Enhance the role of the national research system
in Morocco's development:

–
improve the governance of the national research
system;

–
develop the certification of laboratories and
encourage researchers and research teams to group together;

–
set up structures to enhance value;

–
strengthen internal and external evaluation of
research activities and establish mechanisms for better coordination between
the different stakeholders in the national research system;

–
promote collaboration and partnership between
universities and research organisations and the end users of research results;

–
continue implementation of innovation-related
aspects of the Euro‑Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise and jointly
assess progress on the basis of indicators established at regional level;

–
promote scientific and technological
partnerships in the Euro-Mediterranean area;

–
mobilise the skills of Moroccans living in
Europe to consolidate exchanges and relations between Morocco and the EU in the
fields of science, technology, research and innovation;

–
review the conditions for Morocco's accession to
the EUREKA network.

·
Morocco's involvement in the European Research
Area:

–
explore the possibility of scientific
cooperation, such as the twinning project (programme-level management), in
shared priority themes of European research and innovation programmes;

–
improve the conditions of Morocco's
participation in European research and innovation programmes;

–
build the research capacity of universities and
research centres with a view to Morocco's future association in European
research and innovation programmes and greater participation in COST (European
Cooperation in Science and Technology);

–
strengthen Morocco's network of national
thematic contact points for European research and innovation programmes and
encourage exchanges with European counterparts;

–
step up staff exchanges in research projects and
promote the participation of Moroccan scientists in international scientific
debates;

–
establish the conditions for Morocco to join and
participate in programmes of the European Institute of Technology (EIT).

Convergence:
to achieve these objectives Morocco , with the support of the EU, will take
into account the relevant European standards in science and technology and
research and innovation, including the provisions of European research and
innovation programmes designed to improve industrial competitiveness and the
quality of life and promote sustainable development.

7.7         Audiovisual sector

·
Promote an exchange of views, information and
experiences concerning audiovisual policy, including regulatory aspects.

·
Promote this sector in order to improve
standards of governance, service quality and competitiveness and to enhance
skills through training and technical assistance.

·
Support the development of a transparent, effective
and predictable regulatory system, including revision of the legal framework
and implementation of the new constitutional prerogatives of the High Authority
of Audiovisual Communication.

7.8         Integrated maritime policy

Develop a framework
of relations to enable Morocco to participate in the EU's Integrated Maritime
Policy

·
Develop an integrated approach to all activities
related to or having an impact on the sea and coastal areas, both nationally
and regionally.

·
Continue improvements in the governance of these
maritime activities, particularly through the development of tools such as
maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management and efforts in
the field of marine and maritime research.

7.9         Tourism

·
Implement the tourism strategy 'Vision 2020'.

·
Exchange information on policies, actions and
projects concerning sustainable, high quality and responsible tourism.

8.           Education, training and health

8.1         Education

Consolidate
the principle of equal opportunities

·
Reduce the dropout rate, especially among girls
in rural areas.

·
Improve 'return to school' rates.

·
Improve the grants system.

·
Reduce violence in schools.

Provide
universal access to basic education and combat illiteracy

·
Reduce illiteracy rates, especially among young
people and women in rural areas.

·
Extend compulsory education (up to lower
secondary).

·
Increase rates of secondary education leading to
qualifications, especially among girls.

Improve the
quality of teaching in schools

·
Extend pre-school provision.

·
Reduce repeat rates.

·
Improve mastery of the language of instruction
and foreign-language learning.

·
Improve teacher training.

·
Improve guidance and monitoring of students in
difficulty

Continue implementation of the
education-related aspects of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise

·
Develop education for entrepreneurship as a key
competence in primary and secondary education.

·
Jointly assess progress on the basis of
indicators established at regional level.

8.2         Training and vocational
training

·
Support the reform of vocational education.

·
Pursue dialogue and exchanges on instruments
such as the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training
(ECVET) and the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for vocational
education and training (EQARF VET).

·
Prepare the institutional and operational
conditions for implementation of a national certification framework.

·
Reform the vocational training system and its
governance (in conjunction with the social partners) and improve dialogue
between skill supply and demand so as to better match labour-market needs.

·
Carry out more evidence-based analysis of the
labour market and conceptions of public policies.

·
Help improve continuing training, in particular
improve the management of funds for continuing training (reform of special
contracts) and so increase access and quality.

·
Continue implementation of the training aspects
of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise, with a focus on training in
entrepreneurship. Improve the gathering of information on training courses in
enterprises. Jointly assess progress on the basis of indicators established at
regional level.

8.3         Higher education

Support reform of Morocco's higher
education system and its convergence with Bologna Process principles

·
Establish a dialogue and exchanges on the principles
and recommendations of the Bologna Process establishing the European Higher
Education Area.

·
Morocco's legislative and regulatory convergence
with the objectives of the Bologna Process.

·
Introduce tools to facilitate transparency,
comparability and recognition of studies, such as the system of accumulation
and transfer of credits (ECTS) and the Diploma Supplement (adoption and
effective implementation of the credit system, disciplines and institutions
involved).

·
Continue implementation of the National
Qualifications Framework (NQF).

·
Step up the development of vocational training
courses to enhance the employability of university graduates and develop active
partnerships with professionals.

·
Monitor graduates and improve their employment
rates.

·
Step up the process of devolution and
decentralisation of educational services and the decentralisation of higher
education with a view to supporting 'extended regionalisation'.

Improving
access to higher education

·
Improve social services for students (social grants,
merit-based grants, capacity of university halls of residence, canteens, and
basic medical coverage).

·
Introduce support measures for students,
especially in open-access university centres.

·
Implement measures to reduce repetition and
dropout rates (integrated measures for the teaching of languages, academic
methodology modules, languages and communication modules, IT modules, tutoring
systems, guidance for graduates and students and the development of core
curricula and bridges between faculties to allow course changes, etc.).

·
Establish an efficient information and guidance
system.

Qualitative
improvement of Morocco's higher education system

·
Improve capacity and skills of university staff.

·
Promote distance-learning.

·
Develop new information and communication
technologies in the Moroccan system of higher education.

·
Step up the process of certification in
university education.

·
Strengthen the governance of higher education
institutions and their autonomy.

·
Foster the development of skills for the
evaluation of training programmes, projects and institutions (pedagogical,
administrative and financial evaluation).

·
Set up a system of institutional assessment of
Moroccan higher education.

·
Consolidate independent quality assurance.

·
Train through research, particularly for
doctorates.

Strengthen
cooperation in the field of education and training by increasing and/or
improving Morocco's participation in EU higher education programmes

·
Continue support for the reform and
modernisation of higher education under the Tempus programme and its successor.

·
Promote Morocco's participation in existing
European mobility programmes and partnerships in higher education.

·
Continue information campaigns on these
programmes aimed at potential applicants, students and academics.

·
Encourage Morocco's alignment on current EU
procedures to recognise diplomas.

·
Encourage exchanges between Morocco's MERIC
centre and the ENIC-NARIC network.

·
Promote cooperation between the Portoroz
Euro-Mediterranean University with training institutions in Morocco.

8.4         Support for education in
Community policies

·
Increase Morocco's participation in Jean Monnet
actions to support university education and research projects in the field of
European integration studies.

·
Improve Morocco's inclusion in specific programmes
aimed at third country officials to raise their awareness of Community
policies.

8.5         Health

Improve the level of public health in
Morocco and strengthen Morocco-EU dialogue on health issues

·
Further cooperation on health-sector reform, in
particular on the basis of Morocco's national health strategy 'Vision 2020',
the 2008-2012 action plan and, where appropriate, future instruments, including
adoption of the framework-law on the
healthcare system aimed at improving health-care quality and access,
particularly for the poorest, and regionalisation, and improved preventive
measures.

·
Build the capacity of institutions and
laboratories in order to improve health monitoring and security (creation of
the National Public Health Agency).

·
Cooperate on health indicators, particularly
those linked to MDGs 4 and 5.

·
Prevent and control communicable and
non-communicable diseases, such as long-term and costly chronic diseases,
including means such as the ratification and implementation of international
health instruments, e.g. the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control and
the WHO International Health Regulations.

·
Cooperate with a view to a gradual, long-term
alignment on certain EU rules and implementation practices in the field of
health.

·
Discuss the possibility of deepening regional
cooperation on health, particularly in the context of Euro-Mediterranean
cooperation.

Convergence:
to achieve these objectives Morocco will adopt laws and regulations
concerning its health system, and for the purposes of convergence take into
account, with the support of the EU, the relevant European directives and WHO
recommendations on health monitoring and security.

8.6         Youth and sport

·
Step up cooperation on the non-formal education
of young people and youth workers in order to promote exchanges, intercultural
dialogue and the development of civil society, in particular through youth
programmes such the Youth in Action (2007-13), Euromed Youth IV and future such
programmes.

·
Promote the exchange of information and best
practices on issues of common interest such as social inclusion in and through
sport, education and sport, physical activity and the campaign against doping
and violence in sport (including violence in stadiums).

·
Enable Moroccan officials to participate in
workshops, seminars and conferences on sports issues.

·
Collaborate to organise events in Morocco on
sporting themes within the existing structures.

C.           Morocco's participation in EU programmes
and agencies

·
Step up cooperation in the regional activities
of the following European agencies: the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),
the European Training Foundation (ETF), the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA),
the European Agency for the management of operational cooperation at the
external borders (FRONTEX), Europol, Eurojust, the European Environment Agency
(EEA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

·
Morocco's participation in Community programmes
open to third countries, including the following: the Competitiveness and
Innovation Programme (CIP), Customs 2013 (2008-2013), SESAR and Marco Polo.

·
Participation in the Enterprise Europe Network.

·
The EU will help Morocco to participate
effectively in these programmes and agencies.

D.          Financial dimension

·
Take into account in the implementation of the
financial dimension of the EU‑Morocco partnership needs arising
from:

–
Advanced Status;

–
Morocco's internal situation as a result of
political, economic and social reforms giving rise to significant needs in
terms of economic and social infrastructure;

–
the need for inclusive growth to reduce poverty;

–
the need to consolidate Morocco's opening and
integration into the global economy, especially that of the EU; and

–
the EU's new neighbourhood strategy.

·
Examine ways to move from 2013 towards a new
phase in accessing adequate EU funds to support Morocco in its regional policy
and convergence towards the EU, and in adopting new implementation procedures.

·
Optimise the implementation of existing
financial instruments through a better targeting of cooperation programmes and
better collaboration between Morocco and the EU to boost Morocco's absorption
capacity.

·
Take advantage of all new relevant and necessary
instruments and thematic programmes put in place by the EU as part of its
external action, taking into account Morocco's needs, progress in reform and
absorption capacity.

III.         Monitoring and monitoring reports

Monitoring
of the Action Plan

·
This Action Plan, like its predecessor, is a
strategy paper for EU-Morocco cooperation.

·
It will be submitted to the EU-Morocco
Association Council, which will formally adopt it.

·
The joint bodies established under the
Association Agreement, in particular the designated subcommittees and working
groups, will advance and monitor implementation of the Action Plan.

·
The subcommittees will accurately monitor
regulatory alignment on the EU acquis under this Action Plan over the previous
year and the national programme of regulatory convergence. They will report to
the Association Committee on this work. To this end, they will ensure that the
relevant applications to use the TAIEX assessment instrument and any other
instrument made available by the EU to assess the gap with the acquis will made
by the ministries concerned.

Monitoring reports

·
The EU and Morocco may unilaterally review
progress in implementing the Action Plan independently of the review carried
out within the Association Committee.

·
The EU and Morocco will have the opportunity to
invite non-governmental and other interested organisations operating in Morocco
and the EU in the areas covered by the Action Plan to submit their
contributions to the review of progress in implementation.

IV. Final clauses

·
This Action Plan will have a duration of five
years (2013-2017).

·
The Association Committee will be responsible
for analysing progress in implementing the Action Plan on the basis of reports
and records of the subcommittees. It will also be able to propose new
priorities and adjustments to the Action Plan on the basis of progress and/or
new needs submitted to the Association Council for approval.

·
In so doing, the Association Committee will take
into consideration contributions from non-governmental and other interested
organisations operating in Morocco and the EU in the areas covered by the
Action Plan.

·
After three years of implementation of this
Action Plan, the Parties will undertake to define future steps towards the
establishment of a new framework of relations in the light of the discussions
of the ad hoc working group mentioned in the joint document on Advanced Status.

ANNEX I:

List of European and/or Council of Europe Conventions

·
European Convention on Human Rights (Article 6 –
Right to a fair trial); EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Chapter VI Justice)

·
European Convention on Human Rights (Article 3 –
Prohibition of torture); Protocol No 13 (Abolition of the death penalty); EU
Charter of Fundamental Rights (Articles 2 and 4)

·
European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10
– Freedom of expression; Article 11 – Freedom of association); EU Charter
of Fundamental Rights (Articles 11 and 12)

·
Community Framework Strategy on Gender Equality

·
European Convention on Human Rights (Article 14
– Prohibition of discrimination); EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Chapter III)

·
Revised Social Charter of the Council of Europe
(Articles 4.3, 7, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 27)

·
European Convention on Human Rights (Article 14
– Prohibition of discrimination); EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Chapter
III)

·
Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of
Sentenced Persons, and the Additional Protocol thereto

·
Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, and
the Additional Protocol thereto

·
Council of Europe Convention on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings

·
Council of Europe Convention on Laundering,
Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the
Financing of Terrorism

ANNEX II:

Main references to the Community acquis in EU internal market areas

Financial services

The main directive in the banking sector
is the Capital Adequacy Directive which consists of the following two
directives:

·
Directive 2006/48/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 relating to the taking-up and
pursuit of the business of credit institutions (recast)

·
Directive 2006/49/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on the capital adequacy of
investment firms and credit institutions (recast)

Other key directives in this field include:

·
Directive 2000/46/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on the taking-up,
pursuit and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money
institutions

·
Directive 2002/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
16 December 2002 on the supplementary supervision of credit
institutions, insurance undertakings and investment firms in a financial
conglomerate

·
Directive 94/19/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
30 May 1994 on deposit-guarantee schemes

The key directives for Morocco in the insurance
sector are:

·
Directive 2009/138/EC of
25 November 2009, OJ of 17.12.2009, the Solvency II Directive, which
consists of most of the former insurance directives (codified) applicable at
the end of 2012;

·
over 5/6 years: adopt legislation on a solvency
system for the supervision of insurance undertakings on the same lines as
provided for in Solvency II and do likewise for automobile insurance on the basis
of the relevant directive

·
Directive 2009/103/EC (codifying directive on
automobile insurance) of 16 September 2009, OJ of 9.10.2009

The key directives for Morocco in the securities
sector are:

·
Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on insider dealing and market
manipulation (market abuse), and implementation of the directives adopted by
the Commission

·
Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the prospectus to be published when
securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading and amending
Directive 2001/34/EC, and the Commission recommendations on this Directive

·
Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on markets in financial
instruments amending Council Directives 85/611/EEC and 93/6/EEC and Directive
2000/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing
Directive 93/22/EEC

·
Directive 2006/31/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 5 April 2006 amending Directive 2004/39/EC on markets in
financial instruments, as regards certain deadlines

·
Commission Directive 2006/73/EC of 10 August
2006 implementing Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council on markets in financial instruments

·
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1287/2006 of 10
August 2006 implementing Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council as regards record-keeping obligations for investment firms,
transaction reporting, market transparency, admission of financial instruments
to trading, and defined terms for the purposes of that Directive

·
Directive 97/9/EC of the European Parliament and
of the Council of 3 March 1997 on investor-compensation schemes

·
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on credit rating
agencies

·
Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2012 on short selling and
certain aspects of credit default swaps

The most important directives in relation
to investment funds are:

·
Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the coordination of laws, regulations and
administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in
transferable securities (UCITS) (Text with EEA relevance)

·
Commission Directive 2007/16/EC of 19 March 2007
implementing Council Directive 85/611/EEC on the coordination of laws,
regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective
investment in transferable securities (UCITS) as regards the clarification of
certain definitions

·
Commission Directive 2010/43/EU of 1 July 2010
implementing Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council as regards organisational requirements, conflicts of interest, conduct
of business, risk management and content of the agreement between a depositary
and a management company

·
Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2010/42/EU
of 1 July 2010 implementing Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and
of the Council as regards certain provisions concerning fund mergers,
master-feeder structures and notification procedure

·
Commission Regulation (EU) No 583/2010 of 1 July
2010 implementing Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council as regards key investor information and conditions to be met when
providing key investor information or the prospectus in a durable medium other
than paper or by means of a website (Text with EEA relevance)

·
Commission Regulation (EU) No 584/2010 of 1 July
2010 implementing Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council as regards the form and content of the standard notification letter
and UCITS attestation, the use of electronic communication between competent authorities
for the purpose of notification, and procedures for on-the-spot verifications
and investigations and the exchange of information between competent
authorities (Text with EEA relevance)

·
Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on alternative investment fund managers

The key directives on infrastructure
are:

·
Directive 2009/44/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 6 May 2009 amending Directive 98/26/EC on settlement
finality in payment and securities settlement systems

·
Directive 2002/47/EC on financial collateral
arrangements as regards linked systems and credit claims

Postal services

The key directives for Morocco in the postal
services sector are:

·
Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the
development of the internal market of Community postal services and the
improvement of quality of service, as last amended by Directives 2002/39/EC and
2008/06/EC

Intellectual and industrial property

The most important directives are:

·
Directive 2004/48/EC (enforcement of
intellectual property rights)

·
Directive 2001/29/EC (copyright and related
rights in the information society)

·
Directive 2001/84/EC (resale right)

·
Directive 2006/116/EC (extending protection)

·
Regulation 1383/2003 concerning customs action

·
Directive 91/250/EEC replaced by Directive
2009/24/EC on the legal protection of computer programs

·
Directive 92/100/EEC replaced by Directive
2006/115/EC on rental right and lending right

·
Directive 93/83/EEC concerning satellite
broadcasting and cable retransmission

·
Directive 96/9/EEC on the legal protection of
databases

Concerning trade marks:

·
Directive 2008/95/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 22 October 2008 to approximate the laws of the Member
States relating to trade marks (Codified version)

·
Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 of 26
February 2009 on Community designs (Codified version)

Concerning patents:

·
Regulation (EC) No 469/2009 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 concerning the supplementary
protection certificate for medicinal products (Codified version)

·
Regulation (EC) No 1610/96 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 concerning the creation of a
supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products

·
Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on medicinal products
for paediatric use and amending Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92, Directive
2001/20/EC, Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004

·
Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological
inventions

·
Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on compulsory licensing of
patents relating to the manufacture of pharmaceutical products for export to
countries with public health problems

Concerning designs:

·
Directive 98/71/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 13 October 1998 on the legal protection of
designs

·
Council Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 of 12 December
2001 on Community designs

ANNEX III: Priority measures under the EU-­Morocco
Action Plan on implementation of the advanced status (2013-2017)

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Political and policy dialogue || 1) Develop bilateral political dialogue and increase consultation in multilateral forums || (a) Organise ad hoc meetings at ministerial and/or senior official level on subjects of mutual interest; || ST ||

(b) Take joint initiatives, establish informal coordination mechanisms in UN bodies, in particular on initiatives to combat threats to international security, human rights and regional issues || ST

2) Strengthen cooperation on conflict prevention, crisis management, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, export controls on arms and dual-use goods, civil protection and the prevention of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks || (a) Conclude a framework agreement on Moroccan participation in EU crisis management operations (civil and military); || ST ||

(b) Establish operational arrangements between Moroccan bodies and European Commission departments for cooperation with the Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC); || ST ||

(c) Introduce an effective national system of arms and dual-use goods export controls || MT Active engagement in the process of negotiating the Arms Trade Treaty; ||

(\*)   This column covers support measures currently being implemented/under development or that may be programmed. Morocco’s participation in Community programmes and agencies also constitutes a priority measure.

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Rule of law. democracy and governance || 3) Strengthen institutions that guarantee democracy and the rule of law || (a) Strengthen the role and capacity for action of the Parliament, Government and political parties, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Ombudsman’s Office; || MT Capacity of bodies concerned increased || Programme of support to the CNDH and Inter-ministerial Human Rights Delegation and capacity-building of both institutions (SPRING) . Support to the Government Secretariat-General (P3A III Programme) Support to Parliament (P3A III and ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programmes)

(b) Adopt appropriate legislation; || MT Increased capacity in terms of the quality and constitutional conformity of legislative and regulatory texts Parliament’s administrative capacity enhanced Establishment of the Constitutional Court

(c) Strengthen cooperation with the Council of Europe; || MT Gradual accession to the relevant conventions listed in Section 2.8 of the Action Plan; Implementation of ‘Partner for Democracy' status || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ and ‘Strengthening democratic reform in the southern Neighbourhood’ Programmes

(d) Modernise public administration, e.g. guarantee equal access to public services, equitable national coverage and continuity of service, and improve the quality of service provided; || MT Implementation of a public service charter and devolution charter; simplification of administrative procedures; implementation of e‑government || HAKAMA Programme

(e) Adopt the Organic Budget Law; || ST ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Rule of law. democracy and governance || || (f) Introduce the advanced regionalisation process || MT Adoption and implementation of the Organic Law laying down the terms and conditions of cooperation between local authorities, their powers and operating procedures Adoption and implementation of the Organic Law laying down the operating procedures of local authorities ||

4) Ensure the independence and improve the efficiency of the judiciary || (a) Adopt a justice sector reform strategy; || ST || Possible programme to support justice sector reform; capacity development; ‘Strengthening democratic reform in the southern Neighbourhood’ Programme

(b) Strengthen the independence of the judiciary; || MT Establishment of the Supreme Judicial Council

(c) Adopt appropriate legislation; || MT Adoption of a new Criminal Code; compliance with the timetable and priorities laid down in the sector reform strategy

(d) Modernise the judiciary, inter alia by simplifying and improving judicial procedures || MT Reduction in the length of procedures; improved access to justice. development of alternative dispute settlement methods

(e) Improve training for judges and members of legal professions

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Rule of law. democracy and governance || 5) Consolidation of the role of civil society || (a) Strengthen consultation bodies so as to encourage civil society involvement in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of public policies; || MT Impact of the consultation process in cooperation with the Moroccan Government departments concerned and community stakeholders || Capacity-building of civil society organisations through the EIDHR, NSA & LA, and Migration and Asylum thematic programmes, and through bilateral programmes

(b) Build the managerial and organisational capacity of Moroccan community stakeholders to interact with national and international authorities || MT Establishment of partnerships || Project to support the dynamics of integrated rural development in rural territories of northern Morocco (DRIN), ‘Equity and gender equality promotion’ and 'Forestry policy’ support programmes and civil society support via the civil society facility

6) Strengthen protection of the rights of women and minors || (a) Implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Optional Protocol thereto; || ST ||  Equity and gender equality support programme; capacity building; civil society support via the civil society facility; ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme

(b) Set up the Authority for Equality and to combat discrimination in all its forms; || ST

(c) Finalise the legislative framework for combating violence against women, including domestic violence; || ST Adoption of the law on combating violence against women

|| (d) Implement mechanisms to promote and protect the rights of women, children and people with disabilities; || MT Progress achieved in accordance with the Government’s equality plan; reform of the Criminal Code; Adoption and implementation of the act on the working and employment conditions applicable to domestic employees; establishment of a Family and Children’s Advisory Council ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Rule of law. democracy and governance || || (e) Strengthen the control mechanisms for ensuring effective implementation of the Labour Code prohibition on the employment of children under the age of 15 || MT ILO reports ||

|| 7) Strengthen the rights of association, expression and assembly || (a) Adopt and implement a new Press Code covering the written and online press and including the organisation of ethical aspects of the profession; || ST Inclusive consultation process involving all partners concerned in the development of the new Press Code; establishment of a National Press Council; Conformity with international standards ||

(b) Continue reforms leading to media pluralism and independence; || MT Continue liberalisation of the market in the audiovisual media sectors; Strengthen the independence of the High Authority of Audiovisual Communication ||

|| (c) Effectively apply the legislation on the right of association and amend the act on street demonstrations; || ST Immediate delivery of certificates of registration of an association; compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular Article 21 thereof ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Rule of law. democracy and governance || || (d) Continue negotiations with the social partners on finalising the Organic Law laying down conditions and arrangements for exercising the right to strike in accordance with the results of negotiations with the social partners || MT Negotiations with the social partners; Compliance of the legal framework and practices with the principles laid down by the ILO supervisory bodies ||

|| 8) Improve the fight against corruption || (a) Implement the act on the protection of victims and witnesses of corruption in institutions; || ST || Support to the National Agency on Probity and the Fight against Corruption (technical assistance under the P3A III Programme) and capacity-building

|| || (b) Establish and develop the role, independence and capacities of the National Agency on Probity and the Fight against Corruption; || ST Adopt and implement the Organic Law establishing the National Agency on Probity and the Fight against Corruption; Annual ICPC report ||

(c) Implement action plans and adopt a national strategy for preventing and combating corruption; || MT Indicators of Transparency International and other relevant national and international sources || ‘Strengthening democratic reform in the southern Neighbourhood’ Programme P3AIII Sigma Programme

Mobility, migration and security || 9) Improve border management, readmission, mobility of persons and migration policy, international protection and asylum || Establish a partnership for mobility covering several areas: || ST || The annex to the partnership for mobility will set out the EU and Member State support measures, including: support for reform, capacity-building, civil society support, training, exchanges of experience

(a) legal migration: facilitation of the issue of visas, including under the EU Visa Code; ||

(b) illegal migration: tackling irregular migration/border management/readmission agreement; ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

|| || (c) link between migration and development; || || and expertise, information campaigns, ‘Migration and Asylum’ thematic programme and cooperation with EU agencies concerned; support for development in areas of high emigration (DRIN project in the Rif region)

|| || (d) promote international protection and strengthen asylum policy || ||

Economic and social reform || 10) Continue structural reforms of the economy and finances || (a) Implement the outline plan for integrated industrial platforms and business areas; || MT Completion of the implementation of the National Pact for Industrial Emergence in the growth sectors of the economy (automobile, aeronautical, electronics, offshore, textiles/leather and agri-food industries) and of the Rawaj Plan for trade and distribution || HAKAMA and SPRING Programmes (support for reforms and capacity-building)

|| (b) Continue the implementation of measures aimed at increasing productivity and training the labour force in growth sectors of the economy;

|| (c) Improve the business climate, promote entrepreneurship, SMEs and VSEs, and continue implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Enterprise Charter; || MT Monitoring indicators of the Euro-Mediterranean Enterprise Charter; implementation of the CNEA (National Committee for the Business Environment) Action Plan; establishment of the SME Observatory; adoption of the VSE strategy; Regulatory reform and administrative simplification; ‘Small Business Act’ for SMEs ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Economic and social reform || || (d) Continue tax policy and public finance management reforms; || MT Improvement in the transparency and efficiency of the tax administration; simplification of the tax system (incl. VAT); implementation of the Organic Budget Law; ||

11) Develop an integrated strategy of employment and promotion of social policy and public health || (a) Develop employment policy, employability and decent work, taking account of the guidelines of the European strategy on employment and the action framework agreed by the EuroMed Ministerial Conference on employment in Marrakesh in November 2008; || ST || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ and SPRING Programmes (support for reforms and capacity-building)

(b) Adopt and implement a loss-of-job compensation scheme; || ST

(c) Implement the extension of compulsory health insurance and of the healthcare scheme (RAMED); || ST || ‘Basic medical cover' programmes; health sector support programme

(d) Improve the standard of public health, in particular through institution-building; || MT Implementation of the Moroccan national ‘Health Vision 2020' strategy Gradual alignment on the relevant WHO and/or EU standards

(e) Reform the public subsidies scheme (‘Compensation Fund’); || ST Replacement of a system of general subsidies by a system of price subsidies for energy and certain food products targeted at low-income population groups || ‘Basic medical cover' programme; ‘Support for promoting equity and equality between the sexes’ Programme

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Economic and social reform || || (f) Combat poverty and social inequalities || MT Action to combat rural poverty strengthened; Extension of basic medical cover; Improvements in the efficiency of NHDI projects || NHDI II Programme, Support for rural health policy; Programme to tackle illiteracy (SPRING) Project to support the dynamics of integrated rural development in rural territories of northern Morocco (DRIN)

Trade, markets and regulatory reform || 12) Align with the EU acquis || (a) Implement legislative and regulatory alignment in the first priority sectors approved: (1) financial services (insurance), (2) public procurement, and (3) technical standards and regulations (quality and safety) [for the latter: see action 13) a)]; || ST || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ programme and institutional twinning schemes with the Industry Ministry

(b) Adopt a national regulatory convergence programme establishing other priority sectors; || By 2015 (2 years after adoption of the AP)

(c) Adopt appropriate legislative and regulatory reforms in line with the above national convergence programme || MT Compliance with the timetable and priorities laid down in the national convergence programme once established;

13) Deepen trade relations || Implement economic integration by: || || Communication initiatives

(a) Facilitating market access for industrial products through the alignment of Moroccan legislation on that of the EU and raising infrastructure quality in the priority sectors; || ST Signing of ACAA agreements (electronics and toys) MT Signing of ACAA agreements (building materials, gas appliances and machinery)

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Trade, markets and regulatory reform || || (b) Strengthen cooperation on trade defence instruments and arbitration; || ST Development of expertise in the areas of trade defence and arbitration ||

(c) Continue negotiations on an agreement on liberalising trade in services and establishment with a view to opening talks on a DCFTA; || ST

(d) Open talks on a DCFTA. || ST Results of the scoping mission

14) Progress in other trade-related sectors || (a) Intellectual and industrial property: gradually move towards EU levels of protection and build administrative and judicial capacity; || ST Alignment of Moroccan legislation on that of the EU; Introduction of effective deterrent and enforcement measures (justice, customs); Evaluation of the impact of counterfeiting and piracy on national creativity and innovation; Improvement of the patents system for inventions || Institutional twinning schemes – OMPIC (Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property)

|| (b) Upgrade sanitary and phytosanitary rules and build capacity at the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), in particular in the area of pesticide, fertiliser and growing media registration; || MT Adoption and implementation of the regulations implementing Law No 28/07 on food safety and draft laws on animal health drawn up and validated within the EU-funded twinning project 2007-2009 || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Trade, markets and regulatory reform || || || Laboratories upgraded in order to obtain their accreditation. Implementation of a regionalised animal-health system ||

|| (c) Improve the level of consumer protection; || MT Continuation of legislative alignment; administrative capacities of the High Consumer Council strengthened; Establishment of a Moroccan Consumer Centre. ||

15) Modernise and build capacity in agriculture and fisheries || (a) Promote high quality production; || MT Conclusion of an agreement to protect geographical indications ||

|| (b) Develop 'solidarity agriculture' (Pillar II of the Green Morocco Plan), in particular small-scale agriculture in fragile, difficult regions and rural development || MT Development of high quality and traditional local products, including organic products; Reactivation of beneficiary sectors in targeted areas; ENPARD pilot programmes || Programmes supporting Pillar II of the Green Morocco Plan; ENPARD Initiative Support for the Agricultural Council strategy (SPRING);

|| (c) Improve intelligence gathering about products and markets || MT ||

|| (d) Implement a framework for fisheries governance, in particular for the modernisation of wholesale trading (in line with the content and objectives of the 'Halieutis Plan' and with the common fisheries policy on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fishery resources) || MT Internal market in fishery products restructured and invigorated; Added value of fishery products and their marketing conditions enhanced || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Infrastructure || 16) Improve transport efficiency || (a) Modernise air traffic management and improve air safety and security; || MT Implementation of a programme to develop safety equipment including extending radar coverage and increasing the efficiency of the air traffic control automation system ||

|| (b) Implement a maritime strategy aimed at strengthening maritime safety, security and surveillance || MT Systems of port, flag and coastal State control strengthened || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme (capacity-building and reform support measures); SafeMed and MEDAMOS Programmes

|| 17) Strengthen energy supplies and security || (a) Pursue legislative and regulatory convergence in all branches of the energy sector, including renewables and natural gas, with a view to implementing the national energy strategy based on objectives of supply security, competitiveness and energy sector modernisation || MT Development and implementation of a vision for the year 2020 || ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme

|| || b) Reinforce the energy interconnection infrastructure and integrate energy markets || MT Establishment of preferential conditions for Moroccan operators to access EU energy markets and conditions for the integration of energy markets ||

|| || (c) Create conditions conducive to developing the use of natural gas, including a regulatory authority || MT Attainment of a 20% share of the national energy balance for natural gas by 2020 ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

Infrastructure || || (d) Ensure large-scale and small-scale development of renewable energies; export green electricity and promote energy efficiency || MT More effective strategy for the protection and sustainable management of forest resources; Attainment of a target of 42% of electricity production from renewable sources by 2020; Achievement of the objectives set in Morocco’s Solar Plan and the Moroccan Wind Energy Project ||

The environment and sustainable development || 18) Improve environmental protection, water resource management and measures to combat climate change || (a) Develop and implement national strategies and programmes in the environment and water resource sector, including the introduction of a national green economy strategy || MT Gradual alignment with EU legislation || - Forestry Policy Support Programme, - Support for the introduction of national green economy and climate change strategies, ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme in the water sector, - Support operational implementation of the National Charter on the Environment and Sustainable Development

|| || (b) Improve the participation of civil society groups and local authorities concerned by environmental measures; || ST Training measures aimed at developing the expertise of environmental groups; Contribution of civil society to the processes of preparing strategy documents and programming; Evaluation with the national NGO platform (GT-PEV)

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

The environment and sustainable development || || (c) Continue to commit to combating climate change || MT Implementation of the Cancun and Durban Agreements Implementation of the national climate change strategy and of local strategies to combat global warming ||

|| || (d) Promote sustainable business development || MT Establishment of best management and streamlining practices ||

General and higher education and vocational training || 19) Improve the education system and ensure that higher education and vocational training are better adapted to labour market needs || (a) Implement a strategy to tackle illiteracy || ST || Support programme for implementation of the education strategy; support for the literacy strategy (SPRING); NHDI II; Erasmus Mundus, Tempus and new Erasmus for All programme, twinning schemes and support for mobility under the ‘Making a Success of Advanced Status’ Programme

|| || (b) Improve access to, quality of and governance in school and higher education; || MT Reform of the higher education system and legislative and regulatory convergence with the aims of the Bologna Process; Greater opportunities for student and academic staff mobility in partnerships with universities; consolidation of Quality Assurance (in particular through the setting-up of a Quality Assurance Agency for higher education) ||

Area || Objectives || Action by Morocco || Timetable/Indicators || EU support (\*)

General and higher education and vocational training || || (c) Implement higher education and vocational training reforms to ensure that they are better adapted to labour market needs; || MT Improved training of the labour force in the growth sectors of the economy specified in the National Pact for Industrial Emergence (aeronautical, automobile, electronics, offshore, agri-food and textile industries); Increase in the number of teachers and places available for students and improvements in the quality of training in the above areas || Vocational training strategy support programme (SPRING)

Research and development, information society || 20) Strengthen capacity in relation to the information society, research and innovation || (a) Implement the new digital strategy ‘Digital Morocco 2013’ and develop synergies with the Digital Agenda for Europe and European policies on the information society; || ST ||

|| || (b) Build the research capacity of Moroccan universities and research centres || MT Development of the network of thematic NCPs; regulatory convergence with European science and technology standards ||

|| || || ||

|| || ||

|| ST = Short term (by the end of 2014) || ||

|| MT = Medium term (by the end of 2017) || ||

[1]               Adopted
by the EU-Morocco Association Council on 13 October 2008.

[2]               Provided for in Council
Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to
encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work, OJ L 183,
29.6.1989.

[3]               Gradual alignment on Directive 2004/48/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the
enforcement of intellectual property rights and Regulation 1383/2003 concerning
customs action.

[4]               Simple
procedures for business, education and training in entrepreneurship, improved
skills, easier access to finance and investment-friendly taxation, improved
market access, innovation, strong professional associations, good quality
systems and support services for businesses, Euro-Mediterranean partnerships
and networks, and clear and targeted information for businesses;

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