EU/Morocco framework agreement: participation of Morocco in Union programmes. Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association EC/Morocco

This document presents the definitive text of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Morocco, of the other part, on a framework agreement between the European Union and Morocco on the general principles for the participation of Morocco in Union programmes.

To recall, on 26 February 1996, Morocco concluded a Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Morocco, of the other part.

The Brussels European Council of 17 and 18 June 2004 welcomed the Commission's proposals for a European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and endorsed the Council conclusions in favour of this policy.

The Council has on numerous later occasions adopted conclusions supporting that policy.

On 5 March 2007, the Council expressed support for the general and global approach outlined in the Commission's communication of 4 December 2006 to enable ENP partners to participate in Community agencies and Community programmes on their merits and where authorised by the relevant legal bases.

Given that Morocco has expressed its desire to participate in a number of Union programmes, it is necessary to determine the detailed arrangements, in particular the financial contribution and the reporting and evaluation procedures, applicable to Morocco's participation in any particular programme by a protocol between the Commission and the competent Moroccan authorities.

For further details of the main provisions of the Protocol and its financial implications for the EU as well as Morocco, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 17/05/2010.