[West-Sahara] Agriculture agreement with Morocco still valid; EU Foreign Policy Chief assures

[harriak7]

Agriculture agreement with Morocco still valid; EU Foreign Policy Chief
assures



http://www.africanews.com/2016/03/05/agriculture-agreement-with-morocco-still-valid-eu-foreign-policy-chief-assures/

05/03 - 10:28



The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief has assured Morocco that its
agricultural agreements with the bloc remain in force.



The assurance comes days after Morocco announced it was severing all
ties with the EU following a ruling by the European Court of Justice on
its agricultural agreement with the European bloc.



The EU Court ruled that the agricultural agreement which included the
disputed territory of Western Sahara, was illegal. The former Spanish
colony is controlled by Morocco but the separatist group Polisario has
also laid claim to it.



During a visit to the Moroccan capital on Friday for talks, the EU’s
Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, indicated the EU would continue
its dealings with the North African country in spite of the court’s ruling.



The visit was an opportunity for the two parties to take stock of their
bilateral relations as well as discuss issues of common interest.



Addressing the press after the meeting, Morocco’s Foreign Affairs
Minister, Salaheddine Mezouar reiterated that “the (EU) court’s decision
is legally flawed and politically biased. It seriously affects the
cooperation between Morocco and the European Union. It must be fixed.”



Federica Mogherini in turn assured that: “The EU remains convinced that
the agreements between Morocco and the European Union are not a
violation of international law and as such an appeal has been filed ,
the agricultural agreement otherwise remains in force.”



She further noted that “the European Union and Morocco will work as true
partners on these issues” adding that “many contacts have been made at
all levels between the EU and Morocco on this issue since December.”



Salaheddine Mezouar who hailed the development as positive news said he
expected the EU to “respect its international commitment to Morocco” and
continue to implement the Agricultural Agreement which the EU said
remained in force.



The Moroccan Foreign Minister is expected to visit Brussels before the
end of March to finalize the discussions held in Rabat.



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–-------------------

EU-Morocco ag agreements still valid

Source: africanews.com
Publication date: 3/7/2016
http://www.freshplaza.com/article/154554/EU-Morocco-ag-agreements-still-valid

Last week
(http://www.freshplaza.com/article/154093/EU-Morocco-dispute-on-farm-trade)
it was reported that Morocco was suspending contact with the EU
following a ruling by the European Court of Justice on its agricultural
agreement with the European bloc. However, the European Union’s Foreign
Policy Chief has assured Morocco that its agricultural agreements with
the bloc remain in force.

The EU Court ruled that the agricultural agreement which included the
disputed territory of Western Sahara, was illegal. The former Spanish
colony is controlled by Morocco but the separatist group Polisario has
also laid claim to it.

During a visit to the Moroccan capital on Friday 4 March for talks, the
EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, indicated the EU would
continue its dealings with the North African country in spite of the
court’s ruling.

Addressing the press after the meeting, Morocco’s Foreign Affairs
Minister, Salaheddine Mezouar reiterated that “the (EU) court’s decision
is legally flawed and politically biased. It seriously affects the
cooperation between Morocco and the European Union. It must be fixed.”

Federica Mogherini in turn assured that: “The EU remains convinced that
the agreements between Morocco and the European Union are not a
violation of international law and as such an appeal has been filed, the
agricultural agreement otherwise remains in force.”