Morocco, EU keen to preserve fisheries cooperation

Rabat, Feb 28 (IANS/MAP) Morocco and the European Union vowed on Wednesday to preserve their fisheries cooperation.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, and Federica Mogherini, EU high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the verdict handed on Tuesday by the EU Court of Justice on the fisheries agreement between the two sides.

The court said the fisheries deal "is valid in so far as it is not applicable to Western Sahara and to its adjacent waters".

The deal, formally known as the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, entered into force on February 28, 2007 for a period of four years. It has been tacitly renewed twice.

Morocco and EU agreed to further strengthen their political dialogue and preserve the stability of their trade relations, the joint statement added.

They noted that the close and sincere consultation spirit that guided the process of adapting the agricultural agreement has created a valuable trust for deepening the partnership, adding that they remain "determined to preserve their cooperation in the field of fisheries."

In this respect, they expressed "their willingness to negotiate the necessary instruments relating to the fisheries partnership."

Both sides confirmed "their attachment to the strategic partnership between Morocco and the European Union and their determination to preserve and strengthen it."

--IANS/MAP

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