EU, Morocco sign energy cooperation declaration

The EU Commission and Morocco have signed a joint declaration on priorities for cooperation in the energy sector.

July 25, 2007

Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent

PARIS, July 25 -- The European Union and Morocco—an important transit country for Algeria's natural gas supplies to Europe—have signed a joint declaration on priorities for cooperation in the energy sector. Spain and Portugal receive gas from Algeria via a pipeline that crosses Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea.

The joint declaration, signed in Brussels on July 23, provides "a clear political framework" with three priorities for cooperation—developing a sustainable energy policy, reinforcing Morocco's energy policy pertaining to the progressive integration of its energy market with the EU, and enhancing security of supply.

Commenting on the joint declaration, which was signed on the margins of the EU-Moroccan Association Council, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said, "Morocco is one of the EU's key energy partners in the Mediterranean region as a transit country for natural gas supplies and an electricity exporter to the EU. Developing further our energy cooperation through progressive integration of our respective energy markets will contribute to enhancing security of energy supplies both in the EU and Morocco."