You are here: Home News Dutch News Morocco earns "advanced status" with EU
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


14/10/2008Morocco earns "advanced status" with EU

Morocco and the EU sign an agreement Monday to increase free trade, security and political and economic cooperation.

14 October 2008

LUXEMBOURG -- Morocco moved closer to Europe on Monday as officials from the North African nation and EU member states signed an "advanced status" agreement that will reduce trade restrictions and increase political and economic cooperation.
 
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, who spent years urging for such a deal, said it will allow Morocco all the benefits of the EU "except the institutions".
 
"This is an historic day for Morocco and for Europe", he added.
 
The agreement places EU relations with Morocco a level above countries such as Egypt, Israel, Georgia and Ukraine, which form part of the EU's “neighbourhood policy”. Though the deal signed Monday lacks details, in the long term it will extend the EU's free-trade area to Morocco, while increasing security and political and development cooperation.
 
"This European engagement on the advanced status is proof of confidence... in Morocco's efforts in terms of political reforms, consolidation of the rule of law, a better justice system, economic reforms, social cohesion and the fight against poverty", Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri said.

[El Pais / Ricardo Martínez de Rituerto / Expatica]




0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Discuss Dutch Culture

How is the Dutch military viewed?, by Zeeeend

Introduce yourself!

Etc... and getting acquainted, by 7jades

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

a question about inburgeringsexamen, by stedwd

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Highly Skilled Migrant visa, by mirthvvr

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

tourist visa for parents, by satish_vijay

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.