Brussels – President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz described as “excellent” relations between the EU and Morocco, the first country to benefit from financial support as part of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
“Relations between Morocco and EU are excellent. The EU is the largest trading partner of Morocco which is also its first recipient in terms of financial support as part of our neighborhood policy,” said Schulz, in an interview with MAP news agency, on the occasion of his upcoming visit to the kingdom.
During the past decade, Morocco has shown its strong political will to move closer to the EU, said Schulz, adding that this desire has become a reality by granting advanced status in 2008.
Negotiations on the new action plan for the advanced status are being finalized, said the president of the European Parliament (EP), who says “fully confident about the future of our bilateral relationship which remains a strategic priority.”
“Morocco has weathered the difficult economic conditions by obtaining good growth in recent years. The signals of economic recovery in Europe should also be favorable to the Moroccan economy given our close ties,” said the EP President.
Stressing that cooperation between Morocco and the EU is not confined only to economy, Schulz underlined the need to further boost political dialogue between both partners.
“We must further strengthen our political dialogue on issues of mutual interest. I think especially the promotion of human rights, the fight against discrimination and terrorism,” he said, calling for bolstering regional cooperation and intercultural dialogue.
“Together we can act in the best interests of our citizens,” he argued.
Schulz chooses to make his first trip to a country outside the EU in Morocco, where he is expected Saturday for a two-day official visit.
During his stay in the Kingdom, Schulz will meet Saturday Prime Minister Adbelilah Benkirane, Foreign Minister Saad El Dine Otmani, and Speakers of the House of Representatives, Karim Ghellab, and the House of Advisors, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah.
EP President, to head a strong delegation of MEPs, should also take part on Sunday in the 8th plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), whose general discussion focuses on “The UfM and the major challenges of the Mediterranean.”
A meeting with the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Fathallah Sijilmassi is also scheduled for Sunday.
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