Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2010)483 - Signature of the Agreement with Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products, the replacement of Protocols 1, 2 and 3 and their Annexes and amendments to the association agreement with Morocco

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dossier COM(2010)483 - Signature of the Agreement with Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed ...
source COM(2010)483 EN
date 16-09-2010
Article 16 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (‘the Association Agreement’), which has been in force since 1 March 2000, provides that the Community and Morocco will gradually implement greater liberalisation of their reciprocal trade in agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products.

On 14 October 2005, the Council authorised the Commission to conduct negotiations within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco, in view of the progress made by the Kingdom of Morocco as regards the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, adopted in July 2005, in order to achieve greater liberalisation of reciprocal trade in agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products, in the spirit of the Barcelona Process and in line with the principles of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg on 30 and 31 May 2005.

In this context and on the basis of the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Agriculture in Venice of 27 November 2003, the following measures in particular should form an integral part of the negotiation process: sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the approximation of technical standards and the harmonisation of legislation; and the protection of geographical indications.

The Commission and the Moroccan authorities officially opened the negotiations on 26 February 2006 in Rabat and concluded them on 14 December 2009 in Brussels.

In order to implement the results of the negotiations, the Commission proposes to the Council to adopt the replacement of Protocols 1, 2 and 3 and their annexes, the repeal of Article 10, the amendment of the title of Chapter II, the amendment of Articles 7, 15 and 17 and the amendment of Article 18 i. The intention of both sides is that this Agreement enters into force from 1 January 2011.

Furthermore, to reinforce the existing cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary issues and issues relating to technical barriers to trade, specific provisions are added to Article 3 of Title II of the Protocol 1 of this Agreement.

Regarding the protection of geographical indications and denominations of origin, the Parties have agreed to open negotiations no later than one year after the entry into force of this Agreement.

The Commission is requested to approve and submit proposals concerning:  i a Council Decision on the signing of the Agreement and  i a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement.

The Council is requested to adopt the following proposal for a Decision: