Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation Taiev Fassi-Fihri announced a new drive to strengthen and deepen relations with the European Union (EU) by securing “advanced status” with the bloc. Farri-Fihri told the EU Mediterranean Rim Cooperation conference that broadening market access and economic integration would benefit both Morocco and the countries of the EU. The conference was a “five plus five” meeting between EU members France, Italy, Portugal and Malta and Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Mauritania. Several European leaders, including European commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Spanish foreign affairs minister Miguel Angel Moratinos have endorsed the concept, and negotiations are expected to commence in the spring. Ferrero-Waldner highlighted the important role that Morocco plays in the fight against terrorism and illegal immigration; trade ties between the EU and the North African country are also particularly strong. Some 60% of Morocco’s trade is with
