The European Parliament adopted by 310 votes to 204, with 49 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol (after it declined, in December 2011) to grant its consent to a one-year extension of the fisheries protocol with Morocco, which expired on 27 February 2012).
However, Parliament recalled that it should be kept punctually and fully informed about the application of the Protocol and its results. It insisted once again that representatives of the European Parliament should have the opportunity to attend meetings of the joint committee provided for the Fisheries Agreement as observers.
Members further called on the Parliament to be provided with documentation on the guidelines, objectives and indicators concerning the chapter relating to support for the fisheries sector in Morocco, and all the information necessary for the proper monitoring of the aspects, including the final report that Morocco is to submit on the implementation of the sectoral support programme.
Parliament reiterated its request to the Commission that it submit a full report on the results and operation of the current Protocol to the European Parliament, before opening negotiations on a new protocol.