Highlights

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union on the Single Support Framework 2014-2017, was held Wednesday, November 5th , 2014, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in the presence of Mr. Mohammed BOUSSAID, Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Driss EL AZAMI EL Idrissi: Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, and the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Rabat, Mr. Rupert JOY.

The Single Framework of Support 2014-2017 expects a Community support of an envelope within a range between a minimum of 728M€ and a maximum amount of 890M€, distributed on the three following areas of focus: (I) Access to basic services, (II) supporting democratic governance, the Rule of law and mobility and (III) Employment, sustainable and inclusive growth.

During the ceremony, Mr. Mohammed BOUSSAID, welcomed the decision of the European Commission (EC) to allocate to Morocco a budget up to € 890m and expressed the pride that Morocco is, as such, the first beneficiary under the European Neighborhood Instrument. He noted that the decision of the EC establishes the wise choices of Morocco in terms of economic and social policy and basic values of democracy and human rights.

The Minister of Economy and Finance stressed that financial planning is part of the new financial instrument of the European Neighborhood Policy (IVE) and is based on the communication of May 15th 2012, which enshrined the principle of "more for more. "This principle states that only partners wishing to undertake political reforms and respect universally recognized values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law can benefit from the most advantageous aspects of the Union policy.

In this context, Mr. BOUSSAID stressed that our country started, since the adoption of the new constitution in July 2011, a process of strengthening democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, gender equality and the development of sustainable and inclusive economy able to reduce social and regional inequalities.

The Minister of Economy and Finance indicated that the axes chosen at the AUC 2014-2017 (the African Union Commission) fit perfectly into the priorities of Moroccan economic and social development and the objectives of the EU cooperation policy.

Then, Mr. Rupert JOY declared that the new grants for the period 2014-2017 represent an acknowledgment of the European Union to the unique nature of its partnership with Morocco. He noted in this regard that these grants reflect the commitment of the EU to support the Moroccan Government in its efforts to respond to the expectations of the Moroccan people and bring the reforms initiated in 2011 into tangible progress; and show the long-lasting support of the European Union to Morocco, despite the economic challenges facing Europe, where considerable efforts are required from European taxpayers.

​Mr. Rupert JOY believes that this memorandum of understanding is a real recognition of the EU-Morocco partnership, of the moral and technical investment to which it is devoted, and is a highlighting of the example it offers.