After the signing of the EU-Morocco fisheries deal, deputies of the European Parliament will host a meeting to conclude the partnership agreement.
Rabat – The European Parliament has announced a meeting for January 23 to conclude the EU-Morocco fisheries deal.
On its agenda, the Parliament said that the meeting will be on the “conclusion of the partnership agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco, its implementing protocol and an exchange of letters.”
On Monday, the EU and Morocco signed a new fisheries deal replacing one that expired in July 2018.
The fisheries deal includes the waters off of Western Sahara despite allegations from Polisario.
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The separatist group has been claiming that Morocco is “exploiting” the natural resources of the region. With the conclusion of the agreement, the EU has not responded favorably to Polisario’s allegations.
The agreement covers the Atlantic ocean from parallel 35 to parallel 22, from Cap Spartel in northern Morocco to Cap Blanc in southern Morocco, including the waters off the southern provinces.
Read Also: Morocco, EU Sign Fisheries Deal Including Western Sahara
Rebutting Polisario’s claims, a group of Sahrawis from the Laayoune-Sakia, El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab regions urged EU and Morocco to renew the agreement in a petition.
The group argued that Morocco has been making efforts to ensure sustainable development in the region.
“Noticeable progress made in our southern provinces as the result of our country’s efforts to make development, both at large and in our regions, is our top priority,” reads the petition.
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Spain has also supported the renewal of the agreement.
In an interview with Agrosfera program, Spanish Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Luis Planas said he hoped that the agreement between the two parties “is approved before March.”
After the fisheries deal, Morocco and the EU are now working to renew their agriculture deal.
