BRUSSELS, Feb 14 (KUNA) — The EU Council of Ministers Tuesday adopted a decision to open negotiations for a new protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement (FPA) between the EU and Morocco.
Sweden voted against the decision while Finland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands abstained, said an EU statement.
The new protocol will define the fishing opportunities offered to EU vessels based on the surplus available in the Moroccan fishing zones, as well as the financial contribution for access rights and for contribution in development aid for Morocco’s fisheries policy.
The EU paid EUR 144 million to Morocco for fishing rights during the previous protocol’s four-year period of validity.
This protocol is important for the EU’s long-distance fleets as it allows vessels from 11 EU member states to operate in Moroccan waters.
The EU has had in recent years about 100 vessels operating in Moroccan waters with a broad economic and social impact on the fishing sector in Europe. (end) nk.mt KUNA 142310 Feb 12NNNN
