European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius said on Monday that the European Commission is determined to extend the fisheries agreement between Morocco and the EU, which expires on July 17, despite it being “difficult.”
“We want to renew it as soon as possible, but first we need clarification from the Court (…) We are in a difficult situation because of the Court’s decision,” said the commissioner.
“The verdict that the Court of Justice of the European Union is going to deliver complicates the situation in general”, he said in statements to the press, adding that he was in “constant dialogue” with parties involved.
Yesterday, Spain’s Minister of Fisheries, Luis Planas, announced that financial aid would be distributed in the next few days to professionals forced to cease their activities in Moroccan waters after July 17.
Planas had additionally turned down all possibility of the separatist Polisario front’s attempt to “negotiate” fishing licences for Morocco’s southern waters, saying: “the fishing agreement is between Morocco and the European Union, and those are the parties concerned with the renewal.”
As it nears its expiration, and with the absence of foreseeable appeal verdict from the European court, the agreement will affect enclosed economies substantially.
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