EU-Morocco sub-committee on research and innovation established
An EU-Morocco strategic sub-committee will be set up to intensify bilateral cooperation in research and innovation, the EU-Morocco Association Council decided on 24 February. A decision to set up six such sub-committees was made under the framework of the Association Agreement, which came into force in March 2000. The groups are intended to extend cooperation, establishing clear objectives in the short, medium and long term. Other sub-committees will focus on the internal market; industry, trade and services; transport, environment and energy; agriculture and fisheries; and justice and security. The research and innovation group will focus on scientific and technological development, the participation of Morocco in EU research programmes, innovation, the diffusion of knowledge, technology transfer and network and electronic communications, according to a Commission spokesperson. 'This is the first time such an ambitious and complex network of committees has been established by the European Union with a partner country of the South Mediterranean,' said EU External Relations Commissioner, Chris Patten. 'Our dialogue had reached maturity and definitely needed this new set of fora as a concrete and pragmatic instrument to further deepen our relations. I hope this example will be followed in our relations with other countries in the region.' The Association Agreement between the EU and Morocco foresees the establishment of a free trade area between the two parties before the end of February in 2012.