EC/Morocco Euro-Mediterranean association agreement

The rapporteur, Mr Von Habsburg (EPP, D), underlined the importance of providing support to modern Islamic states such as Tunisia and Morocco, whereas Algeria remained a time-bomb waiting to go off. While noting that Morocco had not developed at the same pace as Europe when it came to human rights, the speaker drew attention to the progress that had been achieved on the road to democracy in that North African country and for this reason supported the signing of an association agreement between the Community and Morocco. Commissioner Marin pointed out that since 1991 there had been a slow but tangible improvement when it came to respect for human rights in Morocco, one example of this being the legislation introduced on detention and the freedom of the press. Furthermore, since 1996 the main focus of debate in that country had been on the introduction of parliamentary democracy. On this basis the Commission thought that Parliament should approve the agreement in question. Referring to the situation in Western Sahara, the Commissioner said that the only way to resolve this dispute was by negotiation initiated within the framework of the United Nations and under the supervision of the Secretary-General, who would be submitting his final report on 31 August.