PREVIOUS COMMUNITY LEGISLATION: Cooperation Agreement
between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Morocco.
The Agreement was signed on 27 April 1976. It entered into force on 1
November 1978 for an unlimited period and took effect on 1 January 1979.
PREVIOUS POSITION OF EP: In its resolution of 26 May 1993 on relations
between the European Community and the Maghreb, the European Parliament
stated clearly that it was in favour of strengthening cooperation between the
Community and the Maghreb, and approved the
new partnership concept proposed by the Commission as part of a review of its
cooperation policy. The EP felt that within the framework of this review of
development policy the Community should give priority to relations with the
Mediterranean countries, and in particular the Maghreb
countries, although this should not adversely affect the countries south of
that region. The EP believed that it was essential to develop cultural
exchanges on both sides of the Mediterranean.
The Maghreb countries should also undertake
a genuine process of democratisation based on participation by the people and
consideration for their concerns and aspirations, as well as respect for
fundamental human rights, gender equality, the immediate abolition of torture,
and respect for minority languages and cultures. The EP welcomed the creation
of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) and reiterated the importance of the regional
integration of the Maghreb. As regards
political dialogue, Parliament called for a meeting of the heads of state of
the Twelve and the Maghreb countries and for
the creation of an institutional framework that went beyond the purely
governmental sphere in order to bring together the various representatives of
society. Finally, the EP supported the establishment of a free trade area
between the European Community and the Maghreb, although it stated that this
area would not on its own be sufficient to give adequate impetus and
credibility to the process to bind the Maghreb closely to Europe.
SITUATION IN THE MEMBER STATES: The important concessions made with regard to
agricultural products in Morocco
would primarily affect the EU Member States with a Mediterranean-style
agricultural sector, notably Spain.
DOCUMENTATION: Council Regulation 78/2211/EC of 26 September 1978 on the
conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic
Community and the Kingdom of Morocco, OJ L 265, 27.9.1978, p. 1b.
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament:
The future of relations between the Community and the Maghreb, Brussels, 30 April
1992, SEC(92)401 final.