Morocco-EU: The King of Morocco Receives President of European Commission

By African Bulletin on March 2, 2013

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Morocco welcomes welcomed the launch of a Five-Year Action Plan (2013-2017)

The King of Morocco Mohammed VI has received, Friday at the Royal Palace in Rabat, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The audience was an opportunity for constructive discussions on the depth of the high-level relations between Morocco and the European Union both economically and politically, as well as the promising prospects for the renewed partnership between the two parties, the Moroccan Royal Cabinet said in a statement.

During this high level reunion, the King lauded the quality of these relationships, now regulated by the Advanced Status granted to Morocco in 2008, and welcomed the launch of a Five-Year Action Plan (2013-2017), jointly set up for this purpose.

For his part, Barroso expressed to Moroccan Sovereign the special interest the EU takes in its distinct relations with the Kingdom, a strong and credible partner and a model in the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy, thanks to the reforms and mega projects carried out under the leadership of the Sovereign in the political, economic and socio-cultural fields.

During this royal audience, various regional and international issues of common interest were raised, particularly those relating to the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, the situation in the Maghreb and security in the Sahel-Sahara region.

It should be noted that the European Council, which represents the member states, approved the idea of deep and comprehensive free-trade agreements with Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia in 2011.

Trade between the EU and Morocco amounted to roughly 24 billion euros of goods in 2011, and the EU is keen to open up trade in the services sector.

Morocco is the largest recipient of European neighborhood aid, money given to the EU’s immediate periphery, with 580.5 million euros ($760 million) earmarked for 2011-2013, according to the European Commission.

“Smooth negotiations of the free-trade agreement are crucial because they serve as an example for other countries in the southern Mediterranean,” said Marielle De Sarnez, a French member of the European Parliament. “This agreement will also allow in the long term greater regional integration for the Maghreb countries.”

Morocco’s exports to the EU are mainly clothing, agricultural products and machinery.

The EU sold roughly 15 billion euros of goods to the North African country in 2011, with exports growing at roughly five percent a year from 2007-2011

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