Morocco and the European Union
Encyclopedia
Diplomatic relations between Morocco and the European Union date back to 1960, when a commercial agreement was concluded. However, the beginning of Moroccan King Mohammed VI's reign marked a major shift toward more cooperation, comprehension and partnership. In 1976 a first co-operation agreement was signed. In At the 1995 Barcelona conference
the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was inaugurated, establishing a policy with ambitious and long-term objectives in the fields of the political and security partnership,the economic and financial partnership and cooperation in social, cultural and human affairs. To develop these conditions bilaterally, the Union and Morocco have set up the EU-Morocco Association Agreement. This document, dated 1 March 2000, is the legal basis for relations between Morocco and the EU. The European Union has granted Morocco advanced status in 2008 on deepening ties and cooperation in Rabat
. The first EU-Morocco summit took place on March 7, 2010. Morocco tops the list of partners that benefited from the European Union's financial support as part of neighborhood assistance, receiving about 205 million euro in 2009.
.
With the advanced Status granted to Morocco on 13 October 2008, the partnership entered a new, more ambitious phase.
on 20 July 1987. The application was rejected by Community foreign ministers as they did not consider Morocco to be a European country and hence could not join. The rejection was expected as the King had sent feelers two years prior who received such a response.
However, the rejection may well have also been connected to the country's very poor democratic and human rights standards, which have since greatly improved, resulting in an unofficial attempt to renew the application. In 2006 EU commissioner for external relations
, Benita Ferrero-Waldner
declared that "we [EU] already have a very, very close relationship with Morocco, and we're studying giving them even more advanced status."
The agreement constitutes a "roadmap" which widens the sphere of EU-Morocco bilateral relations by setting out new objectives in three main areas: closer political relations, with the holding of an EU-Morocco summit and the establishment of consultation mechanisms at ministerial level; integration of the single market on the basis of gradual adoption of the Community acquis and sectoral cooperation; and a focus on the human dimension.
own resources. The protocols gave sectoral priority to rural development (46%). Other sectors of activity were, in order of importance: economic infrastructure (17%), the social sector (15.6 %), the private sector (10%), vocational training (10%) and civil society (0.4%).
implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. The budgetary resources allocated
under Meda were €3.4 billion for 1995–1999 and €5.4 billion for 2000-2006. Morocco has
become the principal beneficiary of the Meda programme, with commitments totalling €1.472
million for 1995–2006, of which €660 million under Meda I (1995–1999) and €812 million
under Meda II (2000–2006).
Meda cooperation touched all socio-economic spheres in Morocco. Several structural
adjustment programmes were set up in essential sectors such as finance
, taxation, water,
transport, health, education
, the civil service, plus twinnings and exchanges in services such
as customs, the environment, youth, transport and justice.
Investment programmes were implemented to support enterprise development, vocational
training in the tourism
, textile, and information and communication technology sectors
, the
development of the national road transport such as the Mediterranean "rocade"
and the rural network, integrated rural infrastructure development, and water and sanitation programmes in
rural areas (PAGER), measures to deal with unhealthy habitats to get rid of slums and
improve access to social facilities. Meda funds were also channelled to migration, with the
aim of fostering a better management of migratory flows. Financial cooperation also
concerned environmental protection and the promotion of human rights
and fundamental
freedoms.
under horizontal EU budget lines, in particular Meda democracy, the environment, LIFE, the
ECIP, the fight against AIDS, NGO cofinancing, and the fight against drugs, plus €10 million
under the budget lines for the 5th and 6th Framework Research, Technology and
Development Programmes, in which more than 160 Moroccan teams participated.
or Africa
n country. Abbas El Fassi
, Van Rompuy
and Barroso
presented to the press the results of the summit, commending the event which heralds a new era in the privileged and strategic partnership.
The Granada
summit between the European Union and Morocco has concluded with a positive assessment of the development of their relations and with the commitment to build on their political, economic and social aspect, as well as to begin a process of reflection on their future ‘contractual’ form.
On bilateral partnership, the joint declaration sets concrete measures to consolidate achievements and an operational agenda for the future, as part of the advanced status which specifies the relation between Morocco and the EU. The summit also addressed the state of EU-Morocco relations and future developments, as well as other subjects of common interest such as the Sahara issue, the situation in the Maghreb
and the Sahel, and the Union for the Mediterranean
.
and terrorism
have already replaced issues on the agenda that were important before like trade
(i.e. agriculture and fishing) and drug trafficking. Starting in 2000, Moroccan and EU authorities have been keen to work together more closer with intelligence
sharing and border control
cooperation.
Human rights was an issue that curved Morocco-EU relationships for decades. Now, many European officials have lauded the efforts Morocco has made in the human rights
field.
Another hot issue concerns territorial disputes. In July 2002, there was a skirmish between Spain and Morocco during the Perejil incident. Though tensions have eased since the coming of the Spanish Socialist party
to power, the two Spanish exclaves of Ceuta
and Melilla
are still an obstacle between the two neighbouring countries. In October 2006 a diplomatic controversy was sparked between Morocco and Spain
when Morocco had denied entry from Ceuta of a Spanish aid package consisting of 150 patrol vehicles to fight illegal immigration. This was later resolved by delivering the goods 50 km off Tangier
's coast.
The Western Sahara
conflict has always been on the agenda. Morocco has been seeking a formal European recognition of its claimed rights over the disputed territory.
on the legislation and standards of the EU. This should enable it to gradually exploit the
possibilities offered by the Neighbourhood Policy, and in particular progress beyond the
existing relations towards a significant degree of integration; this includes allowing Morocco
to participate in the internal market and taking part gradually in EU programmes. This will
require a great effort by Morocco to create the necessary legislative and institutional
conditions. This ambition is reflected in Morocco's advanced status with the EU
which is "more than association, less than accession".
that Morocco ratified with its principal economic partners like the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area
agreement with the objective of integrating the European Free Trade Association
at the horizons of 2012 can be quoted. The two sides recently announced plans to extend their Free Trade Agreement to cover not only goods, but also all agriculture and services by 2010, giving Morocco almost the same deal with Europe as member states have with each other. Those agreements are parts of the Euro-Med Partnership
signed in Barcelona
, Spain
in 1995.
Morocco and the EU have also signed an open-skies agreement
. The agreement is Europe's first ever outside its borders. It came into force in summer 2006.
Morocco is the largest recipient of financial aid in the European Neighbourhood Policy
, and in December 2009, the EU granted Morocco a donation of MAD 771 million (USD 100 mln) to promote investments and exports, and contribute to the financing of the Rabat-Salé tramway project
.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was inaugurated, establishing a policy with ambitious and long-term objectives in the fields of the political and security partnership,the economic and financial partnership and cooperation in social, cultural and human affairs. To develop these conditions bilaterally, the Union and Morocco have set up the EU-Morocco Association Agreement. This document, dated 1 March 2000, is the legal basis for relations between Morocco and the EU. The European Union has granted Morocco advanced status in 2008 on deepening ties and cooperation in Rabat
Rabat
Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000...
. The first EU-Morocco summit took place on March 7, 2010. Morocco tops the list of partners that benefited from the European Union's financial support as part of neighborhood assistance, receiving about 205 million euro in 2009.
History of cooperation
EU-Morocco relations, which date back to 1963, have received a significant boost in the past decade with the entry into force of the Association Agreement of March 2000 and the adoption of the Action Plan in July 2005 as part of the European Neighbourhood PolicyEuropean Neighbourhood Policy
The European Neighbourhood Policy is a foreign relations instrument of the European Union which seeks to tie those countries to the east and south of the EU into the EU...
.
With the advanced Status granted to Morocco on 13 October 2008, the partnership entered a new, more ambitious phase.
Membership application
Morocco applied to join the then-European CommunitiesEuropean Communities
The European Communities were three international organisations that were governed by the same set of institutions...
on 20 July 1987. The application was rejected by Community foreign ministers as they did not consider Morocco to be a European country and hence could not join. The rejection was expected as the King had sent feelers two years prior who received such a response.
However, the rejection may well have also been connected to the country's very poor democratic and human rights standards, which have since greatly improved, resulting in an unofficial attempt to renew the application. In 2006 EU commissioner for external relations
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy
The European Commissioner for External Relations was a member of the European Commission with responsibility over the Commissions external representation in the world and the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy...
, Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner is an Austrian diplomat and politician, and a member of the conservative Austrian People's Party . Ferrero-Waldner served as the Foreign Minister of Austria 2000–2004 and was the candidate of the Austrian People's Party in the Austrian presidential election, 2004, which...
declared that "we [EU] already have a very, very close relationship with Morocco, and we're studying giving them even more advanced status."
Advanced status
Morocco is the first country in the region to be granted advanced status, which makes it a pioneer in the European Neighbourhood Policy.The agreement constitutes a "roadmap" which widens the sphere of EU-Morocco bilateral relations by setting out new objectives in three main areas: closer political relations, with the holding of an EU-Morocco summit and the establishment of consultation mechanisms at ministerial level; integration of the single market on the basis of gradual adoption of the Community acquis and sectoral cooperation; and a focus on the human dimension.
Economic cooperation
Morocco is already the foremost beneficiary in the region of European funds allocated to neighbourhood policy countries (€654 million for 2007–2010). In order to help the country in this new statutory phase in bilateral relations, the EU will increase aid for the period 2011-2013.Financial protocols (1977-1996)
Under the four financial protocols of the 1976 Cooperation Agreement signed between the European Community (predecessor of the EU) and Morocco, Morocco received a total of €1091 million, including €574 million from the Community budget and of €518 million in the form of loans from EIBEuropean Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
own resources. The protocols gave sectoral priority to rural development (46%). Other sectors of activity were, in order of importance: economic infrastructure (17%), the social sector (15.6 %), the private sector (10%), vocational training (10%) and civil society (0.4%).
MEDA programme
The Meda programme (adopted in July 1996) is the EU's principal financial instrument for theimplementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. The budgetary resources allocated
under Meda were €3.4 billion for 1995–1999 and €5.4 billion for 2000-2006. Morocco has
become the principal beneficiary of the Meda programme, with commitments totalling €1.472
million for 1995–2006, of which €660 million under Meda I (1995–1999) and €812 million
under Meda II (2000–2006).
Meda cooperation touched all socio-economic spheres in Morocco. Several structural
adjustment programmes were set up in essential sectors such as finance
Finance in Morocco
In 2007 the financial sector of Morocco maintained an economic environment conducive to further growth of banking activity following a very good year for the sector in 2006. Morocco’s banks have been largely unaffected by the credit crisis due to their limited connection to global financial markets...
, taxation, water,
transport, health, education
Science and technology in Morocco
Science and technology in Morocco has significantly developed in recent years. The Moroccan government has been implementing reforms to encourage scientific research in the Kingdom. While research has yet to acquire the status of a national priority in Morocco, the country does have major assets...
, the civil service, plus twinnings and exchanges in services such
as customs, the environment, youth, transport and justice.
Investment programmes were implemented to support enterprise development, vocational
training in the tourism
Tourism in Morocco
Tourism in Morocco is well developed, with a strong tourist industry focused on the country's coast, culture, and history. Morocco has been one of the most politically stable countries in North Africa, which has allowed tourism to develop...
, textile, and information and communication technology sectors
Information technology in Morocco
The information technology sector in Morocco has been witnessing significant expansion. Morocco is the first country in North Africa to install a 3G network. The number of Internet subscribers in the country jumped 73% in 2006 over the year-ago period...
, the
development of the national road transport such as the Mediterranean "rocade"
and the rural network, integrated rural infrastructure development, and water and sanitation programmes in
rural areas (PAGER), measures to deal with unhealthy habitats to get rid of slums and
improve access to social facilities. Meda funds were also channelled to migration, with the
aim of fostering a better management of migratory flows. Financial cooperation also
concerned environmental protection and the promotion of human rights
Human rights in Morocco
Morocco’s human rights record is mixed. On the one hand, Morocco has made considerable improvements since the repressive Years of Lead under King Hassan II's reign , but under his modernizing son, Mohammed VI, there are still complaints about abuses of power.This article deals with Morocco and not...
and fundamental
freedoms.
1996-2006
In the period 1996-2006 Morocco received financing totalling approximately €15 millionunder horizontal EU budget lines, in particular Meda democracy, the environment, LIFE, the
ECIP, the fight against AIDS, NGO cofinancing, and the fight against drugs, plus €10 million
under the budget lines for the 5th and 6th Framework Research, Technology and
Development Programmes, in which more than 160 Moroccan teams participated.
2010 summit
The first EU-Morocco summit was held March 7, 2010. It was the first in its kind between the EU and an ArabArab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
or Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n country. Abbas El Fassi
Abbas El Fassi
Abbas El Fassi was the Prime Minister of Morocco from 19 September 2007 to 29 November 2011. El Fassi, a member of the Istiqlal Party, replaced independent Driss Jettou.El Fassi was born in Berkane, Morocco on September 18, 1940...
, Van Rompuy
Herman Van Rompuy
Herman Achille Van Rompuy is the first long-term and full-time President of the European Council...
and Barroso
Barroso
Barroso is a region in the North of Portugal. It comprises the municipalities of Montalegre and Boticas....
presented to the press the results of the summit, commending the event which heralds a new era in the privileged and strategic partnership.
The Granada
Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
summit between the European Union and Morocco has concluded with a positive assessment of the development of their relations and with the commitment to build on their political, economic and social aspect, as well as to begin a process of reflection on their future ‘contractual’ form.
On bilateral partnership, the joint declaration sets concrete measures to consolidate achievements and an operational agenda for the future, as part of the advanced status which specifies the relation between Morocco and the EU. The summit also addressed the state of EU-Morocco relations and future developments, as well as other subjects of common interest such as the Sahara issue, the situation in the Maghreb
Maghreb
The Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
and the Sahel, and the Union for the Mediterranean
Union for the Mediterranean
The Union for the Mediterranean is a multilateral partnership that encompasses 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: the 27 member states of the European Union and 16 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans...
.
Issues
Illegal immigrationIllegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
and terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
have already replaced issues on the agenda that were important before like trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
(i.e. agriculture and fishing) and drug trafficking. Starting in 2000, Moroccan and EU authorities have been keen to work together more closer with intelligence
Criminal intelligence
Criminal Intelligence is information compiled, analyzed, and/or disseminated in an effort to anticipate, prevent, or monitor criminal activity....
sharing and border control
Border control
Border controls are measures used by a country to monitor or regulate its borders.The control of the flow of many people, animals and goods across a border may be controlled by government Customs services. Security is enforced by various kinds of Border Guards and Coast Guards...
cooperation.
Human rights was an issue that curved Morocco-EU relationships for decades. Now, many European officials have lauded the efforts Morocco has made in the human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
field.
Another hot issue concerns territorial disputes. In July 2002, there was a skirmish between Spain and Morocco during the Perejil incident. Though tensions have eased since the coming of the Spanish Socialist party
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party is a social-democratic political party in Spain. Its political position is Centre-left. The PSOE is the former ruling party of Spain, until beaten in the elections of November 2011 and the second oldest, exceeded only by the Partido Carlista, founded in...
to power, the two Spanish exclaves of Ceuta
Ceuta
Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain and an exclave located on the north coast of North Africa surrounded by Morocco. Separated from the Iberian peninsula by the Strait of Gibraltar, Ceuta lies on the border of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Ceuta along with the other Spanish...
and Melilla
Melilla
Melilla is a autonomous city of Spain and an exclave on the north coast of Morocco. Melilla, along with the Spanish exclave Ceuta, is one of the two Spanish territories located in mainland Africa...
are still an obstacle between the two neighbouring countries. In October 2006 a diplomatic controversy was sparked between Morocco and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
when Morocco had denied entry from Ceuta of a Spanish aid package consisting of 150 patrol vehicles to fight illegal immigration. This was later resolved by delivering the goods 50 km off Tangier
Tangier
Tangier, also Tangiers is a city in northern Morocco with a population of about 700,000 . It lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel...
's coast.
The Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its surface area amounts to . It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly...
conflict has always been on the agenda. Morocco has been seeking a formal European recognition of its claimed rights over the disputed territory.
Institutional integration
Under the Neighbourhood Action Plan Morocco has embarked on a major effort to align itselfon the legislation and standards of the EU. This should enable it to gradually exploit the
possibilities offered by the Neighbourhood Policy, and in particular progress beyond the
existing relations towards a significant degree of integration; this includes allowing Morocco
to participate in the internal market and taking part gradually in EU programmes. This will
require a great effort by Morocco to create the necessary legislative and institutional
conditions. This ambition is reflected in Morocco's advanced status with the EU
which is "more than association, less than accession".
Agreements
Since 2000 Morocco and the EU have signed many bilateral agreements. Various agreements of free tradeFree trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
that Morocco ratified with its principal economic partners like the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area
Euro-Mediterranean free trade area
The European Union-Mediterranean Free Trade Area , also called the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area or Euromed FTA, is based on the Barcelona Process and European Neighbourhood Policy...
agreement with the objective of integrating the European Free Trade Association
European Free Trade Association
The European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European Union . EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to,...
at the horizons of 2012 can be quoted. The two sides recently announced plans to extend their Free Trade Agreement to cover not only goods, but also all agriculture and services by 2010, giving Morocco almost the same deal with Europe as member states have with each other. Those agreements are parts of the Euro-Med Partnership
Euro-Mediterranean free trade area
The European Union-Mediterranean Free Trade Area , also called the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area or Euromed FTA, is based on the Barcelona Process and European Neighbourhood Policy...
signed in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1995.
Morocco and the EU have also signed an open-skies agreement
Open skies
Open skies is an international policy concept which calls for the liberalization of rules and regulations on international aviation industry most specially commercial aviation - opening a free market for the airline industry...
. The agreement is Europe's first ever outside its borders. It came into force in summer 2006.
Morocco is the largest recipient of financial aid in the European Neighbourhood Policy
European Neighbourhood Policy
The European Neighbourhood Policy is a foreign relations instrument of the European Union which seeks to tie those countries to the east and south of the EU into the EU...
, and in December 2009, the EU granted Morocco a donation of MAD 771 million (USD 100 mln) to promote investments and exports, and contribute to the financing of the Rabat-Salé tramway project
Rabat-Salé tramway
The Rabat-Salé tramway is a tram system which was put into service on May 23, 2011 in the Moroccan cities of Rabat and Salé. The network has two lines for a total length of and 31 stops. It is operated by Veolia Transdev with Alstom Citadis trams....
.
See also
- Enlargement of the European UnionEnlargement of the European UnionThe Enlargement of the European Union is the process of expanding the European Union through the accession of new member states. This process began with the Inner Six, who founded the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952...
- United States-Morocco Free Trade AgreementUnited States-Morocco Free Trade AgreementThe US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement is a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Morocco. The agreement was signed on June 15, 2004, followed by U.S. President George W. Bush's signing of the USMFTA Implementation Act on June 17, 2004. The United States House of Representatives...
- Economy of MoroccoEconomy of MoroccoMorocco's economy is considered a relatively liberal economy governed by the law of supply and demand. Since 1993, the country has followed a policy of privatization of certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of the government. Morocco has become a major player in the African...
- Human rights in MoroccoHuman rights in MoroccoMorocco’s human rights record is mixed. On the one hand, Morocco has made considerable improvements since the repressive Years of Lead under King Hassan II's reign , but under his modernizing son, Mohammed VI, there are still complaints about abuses of power.This article deals with Morocco and not...
- Mediterranean Union
External links
- The EU's relations with Morocco - The European Commission website
- Morocco-Spain railway tunnel (news item concerning the Strait of Gibraltar crossingStrait of Gibraltar crossingA Strait of Gibraltar crossing is a hypothetical bridge or tunnel spanning the Strait of Gibraltar that would connect Europe to Africa.The Spanish and Moroccan governments appointed a a to investigate the feasibility of linking the two continents...
)