Source: XINHUA
RABAT, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) — The 4th round of negotiations on a new protocol of the Fisheries Agreement between EU and Morocco will take place in Brussels on Jan. 30, announced by the Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries.
Following previous three rounds essentially dealing with the technical conditions that would apply to the EU fleet under the new protocol, the discussions will deal mainly with financial aspects.
Under the last agreement, more than 119 European boats, most of the them Spanish, are able to fish in Morocco waters and 36 million euros (48.7 million U.S. dollars) will be paid by EU to Morocco for fishing licences every year.
During the previous rounds, experts of the two sides agreed that the new agreement should necessarily secure Moroccan sea resources preservation and lasting exploitation, as well as take into account the interests of Morocco.
The third round took place in Rabat on Jan. 15 and 16, 2013. The parties agreed to consider an increase of fishing opportunities, whereas technical conditions are being revised for certain fishing categories, with a view to optimize future fishing efforts.
