Xinhuanet
Xinhua
Morocco and the European Union (EU) have agreed on the content of the future sustainable fisheries agreement and its implementation of the protocol, the two parties announced Friday in a joint statement.
The previous four-year deal expired on Saturday, forcing the EU ships to leave the Moroccan waters.
“The two parties agreed on the provisions and improvements made on the texts to optimize the positive impact and benefits for local populations in the concerned zones, while respecting the principles of sustainable management of sea resources and equity,” the statement said.
Morocco and EU commend the constructive spirit that prevailed during the negotiations, which confirms both parties’ attachment to reinforcing their partnership, the statement said.
The negotiations on the new deal were ongoing since April 20.
The two parties pledged to take necessary measures for the enforcement of the fisheries agreement and will have close contact until the agreement comes into effect, it added.
Some 120 vessels from EU countries, including 90 vessels from Spain, were fishing in the Moroccan waters.
In the previous deal, Morocco got some 40 million euros (46.9 million U.S. dollars) every year for allowing the EU vessels to fish in its waters.
