22000A0318(01)

22000A0318(01) 22000A0318(01) Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part - Protocol 1 on the arrangements applying to imports into the Community of agricultural products originating in Morocco - Protocol 2 on the arrangements applying to imports into the Community of fishery products originating in Morocco - Protocol 3 on the arrangements applying to imports into Morocco of agricultural products originating in the Community - Protocol 4 concerning the definition of originating products and methods of administrative cooperation - Protocol 5 on mutual assistance in customs matters between the administrative authorities - Final Act - Joint Declarations - Agreements in the form of an Exchange of Letters - Declaration by the Community - Declarations by Morocco Official Journal L 070 , 18/03/2000 P. 0002 - 0204  Dates: of document:   26/02/1996 of effect:   01/03/2000; Entry into force See Art 96 And OJ L 70/2000 P. 228 of signature:   26/02/1996; Brussels end of validity:   99/99/9999; See Art. 93 Authentic language: The official languages ; German ; English ; Danish ; Spanish ; Finnish ; French ; Greek ; Italian ; Dutch ; Portuguese ; Swedish ; Other than Community language ; Arabic Author: The 15 Member States ; Belgium ; Denmark ; Federal Republic of Germany ; Greece ; Spain ; France ; Ireland ; Italy ; Luxembourg ; Netherlands ; Austria ; Portugal ; Finland ; Sweden ; United Kingdom ; European Community ; European Coal and Steel Community ; Morocco Subject matter: Association ; External relations ; Provisions implementing Article 95 - ECSC Directory code: 11401020 EUROVOC descriptor: association agreement ; European Association Agreement ; EU country ; Morocco Legal basis: 151K095................... Adoption 197E300-P3L1F2............ Adoption 197E300-P3L2.............. Adoption 197E310................... Adoption Instruments cited: 151K065................... 151K066................... 362R0026.................. 279A0412(06).............. 391R1911.................. 192E042................... 192E043................... 192E051................... 192E085................... 192E086................... 192E092................... 294A1223(01).............. 294A1223(03).............. 294A1223(09).............. 294A1223(16).............. 197E081................... 197E082................... 197E087................... 197EN02................... Amendment to: 276A0427(01)...... Replacement... DP1/3/2000 276A0427(02)...... Replacement... DP1/3/2000 Amended by: Corrected by.. 200A0318(01)R(01). Amended by.... 200A0318(02)...... Replacement ANN 2 from 01/03/2000 Amended by.... 200A0318(02)...... Replacement ANN 3 from 01/03/2000 Amended by.... 200A0318(02)...... Replacement ANN 4 from 01/03/2000 Amended by.... 200A0318(02)...... Replacement ANN 6 from 01/03/2000 Adopted by.... 300D0204.......... DP24/1/2000 Derogated in.. 202A1210(02)...... Derogation PROT 1 from 29/11/2002 Amended by.... 203A1231(04)...... Replacement PROT 3 from 01/01/2004 Amended by.... 203A1231(04)...... Amendment ART 18 from 01/01/2004 Amended by.... 203A1231(04)...... Replacement PROT 1 from 01/01/2004 EURO-MEDITERRANEAN AGREEMENT establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC, THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN, THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, IRELAND, THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC, THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG, THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC, THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN, THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, Contracting Parties to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, hereinafter referred to as the "Member States", and THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY, hereinafter referred to as "the Community", of the one part, and THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO, hereinafter referred to as "Morocco", of the other part, CONSIDERING the proximity and interdependence which historic links and common values have established between the Community, its Member States and Morocco; CONSIDERING that the Community, its Member States and Morocco wish to strengthen those links and to establish lasting relations, based on reciprocity, solidarity, partnership and co-development; CONSIDERING the importance which the Parties attach to the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly the observance of human rights and political and economic freedom, which form the very basis of the association; CONSIDERING recent political and economic developments both on the European continent and in Morocco, and the resulting common responsibilities with regard to the stability, security and prosperity of the Euro-Mediterranean region; CONSIDERING the considerable progress made by Morocco and its people towards achieving their objectives of full integration of the Moroccan economy into the world economy and participation in the community of democratic nations; CONSCIOUS, on the one hand, of the importance of relations in an overall Euro-Mediterranean context and, on the other, of the objective of integration between the countries of the Maghreb; DESIROUS of fully achieving the objectives of the association between them by implementing the relevant provisions of this Agreement to bring the levels of economic and social development of the Community and Morocco closer to each other; CONSCIOUS of the importance of this Agreement, which is based on reciprocity of interests, mutual concessions, cooperation and dialogue; DESIROUS of establishing and developing political consultation on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest; TAKING ACCOUNT of the Community's willingness to provide Morocco with decisive support in its endeavours to bring about economic reform and adjustment and social development; CONSIDERING the commitment of both the Community and Morocco to free trade, in compliance with the rights and obligations arising out of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in its post-Uruguay Round form; DESIROUS of establishing cooperation, sustained by regular dialogue, on economic, social and cultural issues in order to achieve better mutual understanding; CONVINCED that this Agreement provides a suitable framework for the development of a partnership based on private initiative, a landmark option selected by both the Community and Morocco, and that it will create a climate conducive to economic, trade and investment relations between them, a consideration which offers vital backing for economic restructuring and technological modernisation, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1. An association is hereby established between the Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Morocco, of the other part. 2. The aims of this Agreement are to: - provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue between the Parties, allowing the development of close relations in all areas they consider relevant to such dialogue, - establish the conditions for the gradual liberalisation of trade in goods, services and capital, - promote trade and the expansion of harmonious economic and social relations between the Parties, notably through dialogue and cooperation, so as to foster the development and prosperity of Morocco and its people, - encourage integration of the Maghreb countries by promoting trade and cooperation between Morocco and other countries of the region, - promote economic, social, cultural and financial cooperation. Article 2 Respect for the democratic principles and fundamental human rights established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights shall inspire the domestic and external policies of the Community and of Morocco and shall constitute an essential element of this Agreement. TITLE I POLITICAL DIALOGUE Article 3 1. A regular political dialogue shall be established between the Parties. It shall help build lasting links of solidarity between the partners which will contribute to the prosperity, stability and security of the Mediterranean region and bring about a climate of understanding and tolerance between cultures. 2. Political dialogue and cooperation are intended in particular to: (a) facilitate rapprochement between the Parties through the development of better mutual understanding and regular coordination on international issues of common interest; (b) enable each Party to consider the position and interests of the other; (c) contribute to consolidating security and stability in the Mediterranean region and in the Maghreb in particular; (d) help develop joint initiatives. Article 4 Political dialogue shall cover all issues of common interest to the Parties, in particular the conditions required to ensure peace, security and regional development through support for cooperation, notably within the Maghreb group of countries. Article 5 Political dialogue shall be established at regular intervals and whenever necessary notably: (a) at ministerial level, principally within the Association Council; (b) at the level of senior officials representing Morocco, on the one hand, and the Council Presidency and the Commission on the other; (c) taking full advantage of all diplomatic channels including regular briefings, consultations on the occasion of international meetings and contacts between diplomatic representatives in third countries; (d) where appropriate, by any other means which would make a useful contribution to consolidating dialogue and increasing its effectiveness. TITLE II FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS Article 6 The Community and Morocco shall gradually establish a free trade area over a transitional period lasting a maximum of 12 years starting from the date of the entry into force of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and in conformity with those of the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the other multilateral agreements on trade in goods annexed to the Agreement establishing the WTO, hereinafter referred to as "GATT". CHAPTER I INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS Article 7 The provisions of this chapter shall apply to products originating in the Community and Morocco with the exception of the products referred to in Annex II to the Treaty establishing the European Community. Article 8 No new customs duties on imports nor charges having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the Community and Morocco. Article 9 Products originating in Morocco shall be imported into the Community free of customs duties and charges having equivalent effect. Article 10 1. The provisions of this chapter shall not preclude the retention by the Community of an agricultural component on imports of the goods originating in Morocco listed in Annex 1. The agricultural component shall reflect differences between the price on the Community market of the agricultural products considered as being used in the production of such goods and the price of imports from third countries where the total cost of the said basic products is higher in the Community. The agricultural component may take the form of a fixed amount or an ad valorem duty. Such differences shall be replaced, where appropriate, by specific duties based on tariffication of the agricultural component or by ad valorem duties. The provisions of Chapter II applicable to agricultural products shall apply mutatis mutandis to the agricultural component. 2. The provisions of this chapter shall not preclude the separate specification by Morocco of an agricultural component in the import duties in force on the products listed in Annex 2 originating in the Community. The agricultural component may take the form of a fixed amount or an ad valorem duty. The provisions of Chapter II applicable to agricultural products shall apply mutatis mutandis to the agricultural component. 3. In the case of the products shown in Annex 2, List 1, originating in the Community, Morocco shall apply upon the entry into force of this Agreement import duties and charges having equivalent effect no greater than those in force on 1 January 1995, within the limits of the tariff quotas shown in that list. During elimination of the industrial component of the duties pursuant to paragraph 4, the level of the duties to be applied in respect of the products for which the tariff quotas are to be abolished may not be higher than the level of the duties in force on 1 January 1995. 4. In the case of the products in Annex 2, List 2, originating in the Community, Morocco shall eliminate the industrial component of the duties in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 11(2) of this Agreement in respect of products in Annex 3. In the case of the products in Annex 2, Lists 1 and 3, originating in the Community, Morocco shall eliminate the industrial component of the duties in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 11(3) of this Agreement in respect of products in Annex 4. 5. The agricultural components applied pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 may be reduced where, in trade between the Community and Morocco, the charge applicable to a basic agricultural product is reduced or where such reductions are the result of mutual concessions relating to processed agricultural products. 6. The reduction referred to in paragraph 5, the list of products concerned and, where appropriate, the tariff quotas within which the reduction applies shall be established by the Association Council. Article 11 1. Customs duties and charges having equivalent effect applicable on import into Morocco of products originating in the Community other than those listed in Annexes 3, 4, 5 and 6 shall be abolished upon the entry into force of this Agreement. 2. Customs duties and charges having equivalent effect applicable on import into Morocco of the products originating in the Community listed in Annex 3 shall be progressively abolished in accordance with the following timetable: on the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 75 % of the basic duty; one year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 50 % of the basic duty; two years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 25 % of the basic duty; three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement the remaining duties shall be abolished. 3. Customs duties and charges having equivalent effect applicable on import into Morocco of the products originating in the Community listed in Annex 4 shall be progressively abolished in accordance with the following timetables: three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 90 % of the basic duty; four years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 80 % of the basic duty; five years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 70 % of the basic duty; six years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 60 % of the basic duty; seven years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 50 % of the basic duty; eight years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 40 % of the basic duty; nine years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 30 % of the basic duty; 10 years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 20 % of the basic duty; 11 years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be reduced to 10 % of the basic duty; 12 years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement the remaining duties shall be abolished. 4. In the event of serious difficulties for a given product, the timetable for the list in Annex 4 may be reviewed by the Association Committee by common accord on the understanding that the schedule for which the review has been requested may not be extended in respect of the product concerned beyond the maximum transitional period of 12 years. If the Association Committee has not taken a decision within 30 days of its application to review the timetable, Morocco may suspend the timetable provisionally for a period which may not exceed one year. 5. For each product the basic duty to which the successive reductions laid down in paragraphs 2 and 3 are to be applied shall be that actually applied vis-š-vis the Community on 1 January 1995. 6. If, after 1 January 1995, any tariff reduction is applied on an erga omnes basis, the reduced duties shall replace the basic duties referred to in paragraph 5 as from the date when such reductions are applied. 7. Morocco shall communicate its basic duties to the Community. Article 12 1. Morocco hereby undertakes to eliminate the reference prices applied on 1 July 1995 to the products listed in Annex 5 at the latest three years after this Agreement enters into force. In cases in which such reference prices are applied to textiles and clothing, those prices shall be progressively eliminated over a period of three years dating from the entry into force of this Agreement. The pace at which elimination of the reference prices takes place shall ensure that products originating in the Community retain a margin of preference of at least 25 % over the reference prices which Morocco applies on an erga omnes basis. If that margin of preference cannot be maintained, Morocco shall apply a tariff reduction to products originating in the Community. That tariff reduction must not be lower than 5 % of the customs duties and charges having equivalent effect in force on the date on which that reduction is due to be made. If Morocco's commitments under the GATT provide for a shorter period for the elimination of import reference prices, that shorter period shall be applicable. 2. The provisions of Article 11 shall not apply to the products appearing in Annex 6, Lists 1 and 2, without prejudice to the following: (a) in the case of the products on List 1, the provisions of Article 19(2) shall apply only after the transitional period has elapsed. However, they may be made to apply sooner by a decision of the Association Council; (b) the arrangements applying to the products on Lists 1 and 2 shall be re-examined by the Association Council three years after this Agreement's entry into force. At the time of that re-examination, the Association Council shall establish a tariff-dismantling timetable for the products appearing in Annex 6, apart from those of subheading 630900. Article 13 The provisions concerning the abolition of customs duties on imports shall also apply to customs duties of a fiscal nature. Article 14 1. Exceptional measures of limited duration which derogate from the provisions of Article 11 may be taken by Morocco in the form of an increase or reintroduction of customs duties. These measures may only concern infant industries, or certain sectors undergoing restructuring or facing serious difficulties, particularly where these difficulties produce major social problems. Customs duties on imports applicable in Morocco to products originating in the Community introduced by these measures may not exceed 25 % ad valorem and shall maintain an element of preference for products originating in the Community. The total value of imports of the products which are subject to these measures may not exceed 15 % of total imports of industrial products from the Community during the last year for which statistics are available. These measures shall be applied for a period not exceeding five years unless a longer duration is authorised by the Association Committee. They shall cease to apply at the latest on the expiry of the maximum transitional period of 12 years. No such measures may be introduced in respect of a product if more than three years have elapsed since the elimination of all duties and quantitative restrictions or charges or measures having equivalent effect concerning that product. Morocco shall inform the Association Committee of any exceptional measures it intends to take and, at the request of the Community, consultations shall be held on such measures and the sectors to which they apply before they are implemented. When taking such measures Morocco shall provide the Committee with a timetable for the elimination of the customs duties introduced under this Article. This timetable shall provide for a phasing-out of these duties in equal annual instalments starting at the latest two years after their introduction. The Association Committee may decide on a different timetable. 2. By way of derogation from the fourth subparagraph of paragraph 1, the Association Committee may exceptionally, in order to take account of the difficulties involved in setting up a new industry, authorise Morocco to maintain the measures already taken pursuant to paragraph 1 for a maximum period of three years beyond the 12 year transitional period. CHAPTER II AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY PRODUCTS Article 15 The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the products originating in the Community and Morocco listed in Annex II to the Treaty establishing the European Community. Article 16 The Community and Morocco shall gradually implement greater liberalisation of their reciprocal trade in agricultural and fishery products. Article 17 1. Agricultural and fishery products originating in Morocco shall benefit on import into the Community from the provisions set out in Protocols 1 and 2 respectively. 2. Agricultural products originating in the Community shall benefit on import into Morocco from the provisions set out in Protocol 3. Article 18 1. From 1 January 2000, the Community and Morocco shall assess the situation with a view to determining the liberalisation measures to be applied by the Community and Morocco with effect from 1 January 2001 in accordance with the objective set out in Article 16. 2. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 1 and taking account of the patterns of trade in agricultural products between the Parties and the particular sensitivity of such products, the Community and Morocco will examine on a regular basis in the Association Council, product by product and on a reciprocal basis, the possibilities of granting each other further concessions. CHAPTER III COMMON PROVISIONS Article 19 1. No new quantitative restriction on imports or measure having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the Community and Morocco. 2. Quantitative restrictions on imports and measures having equivalent effect in trade between Morocco and the Community shall be abolished upon the entry into force of this Agreement. 3. The Community and Morocco shall apply to the other's exports neither customs duties nor charges having equivalent effect nor quantitative restrictions or measures of equivalent effect. Article 20 1. Should specific rules be introduced as a result of implementation of their agricultural policies or modification of their existing rules, or should the provisions on the implementation of their agricultural policies be modified or developed, the Community and Morocco may modify the arrangements laid down in this Agreement in respect of the products concerned. The Party carrying out such modification shall inform the Association Committee thereof. At the request of the other Party, the Association Committee shall meet to take appropriate account of that Party's interests. 2. If the Community or Morocco, in applying paragraph 1, modifies the arrangements made by this Agreement for agricultural products, they shall accord imports originating in the other Party an advantage comparable to that provided for in this Agreement. 3. Any modification of the arrangements made by this Agreement shall be the subject, at the request of the other Contracting Party, of consultations within the Association Council. Article 21 Products originating in Morocco shall not enjoy more favourable treatment when imported into the Community than that applied by Member States among themselves. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply without prejudice to the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1911/91 of 26 June 1991 on the application of the provisions of Community law to the Canary Islands. Article 22 1. The two Parties shall refrain from any measures or practice of an internal fiscal nature establishing, whether directly or indirectly, discrimination between the products of one Party and like products originating in the territory of the other Party. 2. Products exported to the territory of one of the Parties may not benefit from repayment of indirect internal taxation in excess of the amount of indirect taxation imposed on them directly or indirectly. Article 23 1. This Agreement shall not preclude the maintenance or establishment of customs unions, free trade areas or arrangements for frontier trade in so far as they do not have the effect of altering the trade arrangements provided for in this Agreement. 2. Consultations between the Parties shall take place within the Association Committee concerning agreements establishing customs unions or free trade areas and, where appropriate, on other major issues related to their respective trade policies with third countries. In particular in the event of a third country acceding to the Community, such consultations shall take place so as to ensure that account is taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Morocco stated in this Agreement. Article 24 If one of the Parties finds that dumping is taking place in trade with the other Party within the meaning of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, it may take appropriate measures against this practice in accordance with the Agreement relating to the application of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, related internal legislation and the conditions and procedures laid down in Article 27 of this Agreement. Article 25 Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause: - serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products in the territory of one of the Contracting Parties, or - serious disturbances in any sector of the economy or difficulties which could bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region, the Community or Morocco may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 27. Article 26 Where compliance with the provisions of Article 19(3) leads to: (i) re-export to a third country of a product against which the exporting Party maintains quantitative export restrictions, export duties or measures or charges having equivalent effect; or (ii) a serious shortage, or threat thereof, of a product essential to the exporting Party; and where the situations referred to above give rise, or are likely to give rise, to major difficulties for the exporting Party, that Party may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 27. The measures shall be non-discriminatory and shall be eliminated when conditions no longer justify their maintenance. Article 27 1. In the event of the Community or Morocco subjecting imports of products liable to give rise to the difficulties referred to in Article 25 to an administrative procedure having as its purpose the rapid supply of information on trade flow trends, it shall inform the other Party. 2. In the cases specified in Articles 24, 25 and 26, before taking the measures provided for therein or, in cases to which paragraph 3(d) of this Article applies, as soon as possible, the Community or Morocco, as the case may be, shall supply the Association Committee with all relevant information with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the two Parties. In the selection of measures, priority shall be given to those which least disturb the functioning of this Agreement. The safeguard measures shall be immediately notified to the Association Committee by the Party concerned and shall be the subject of periodic consultations, particularly with a view to their abolition as soon as circumstances permit. 3. For the implementation of paragraph 2, the following provisions shall apply: (a) as regards Article 24, the exporting Party shall be informed of the dumping case as soon as the authorities of the importing Party have initiated an investigation. When no end has been put to the dumping within the meaning of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the matter being referred, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures; (b) as regards Article 25, the difficulties arising from the situation referred to in that Article shall be referred for examination to the Association Committee, which may take any decision needed to put an end to such difficulties. If the Association Committee or the exporting Party has not taken a decision putting an end to the difficulties or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the matter being referred, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures to remedy the problem. These measures shall not exceed the scope of what is necessary to remedy the difficulties which have arisen; (c) as regards Article 26, the difficulties arising from the situations referred to in that Article shall be referred for examination to the Association Committee. The Association Committee may take any decision needed to put an end to the difficulties. If it has not taken such a decision within 30 days of the matter being referred to it, the exporting Party may apply appropriate measures to exports of the product concerned; (d) where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make prior information or examination, as the case may be, impossible, the Community or Morocco, whichever is concerned, may, in the situations specified in Articles 24, 25 and 26, apply forthwith the precautionary measures strictly necessary to deal with the situation and shall inform the other Party immediately thereof. Article 28 This Agreement shall not preclude prohibitions or restrictions on imports, exports or goods in transit justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security; the protection of health and life of humans, animals or plants; the protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value or the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property or rules relating to gold and silver. Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not, however, constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between the Parties. Article 29 The concept of "originating products" for the purposes of implementing this title and the methods of administrative cooperation relating thereto are laid down in Protocol 4. Article 30 The Combined Nomenclature of goods shall be applied to the classification of goods in trade between the two Parties. TITLE III RIGHT OF ESTABLISHMENT AND SERVICES Article 31 1. The Parties agree to widen the scope of this Agreement to cover the right of establishment of one Party's firms on the territory of the other and liberalisation of the provision of services by one Party's firms to consumers of services in the other. 2. The Association Council will make recommendations for achieving the objective described in paragraph 1. In making such recommendations, the Association Council will take account of past experience of implementation of reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment and of the respective obligations of each Party under the General Agreement on Trade in Services annexed to the Agreement establishing the WTO, hereinafter referred to as the "GATS", particularly those in Article V of the latter. 3. The Association Council will make a first assessment of the achievement of this objective no later than five years after this Agreement enters into force. 4. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3, the Association Council shall, once this Agreement is in force, examine the international maritime transport sector with a view to making appropriate recommendations for liberalisation measures. The Association Council shall take account of the results of GATS negotiations on this matter subsequent to the end of the Uruguay Round. Article 32 1. At the outset, each of the Parties shall reaffirm its obligations under the GATS, particularly the obligation to grant reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment in the service sectors covered by that obligation. 2. In accordance with the GATS, such treatment shall not apply to: (a) advantages granted by either Party under the terms of an agreement of the type defined in Article V of the GATS or to measures taken on the basis of such an agreement; (b) other advantages granted in accordance with the list of exemptions from most-favoured-nation treatment annexed by either Party to the GATS. TITLE IV PAYMENTS, CAPITAL, COMPETITION AND OTHER ECONOMIC PROVISIONS CHAPTER I CURRENT PAYMENTS AND MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL Article 33 Subject to the provisions of Article 35, the Parties undertake to allow all current payments for current transactions to be made in a freely convertible currency. Article 34 1. With regard to transactions on the capital account of balance of payments, the Community and Morocco shall ensure, from the entry into force of this Agreement, that capital relating to direct investments in Morocco in companies formed in accordance with current laws can move freely and that the yield from such investments and any profit stemming therefrom can be liquidated and repatriated. 2. The Parties shall consult each other with a view to facilitating, and fully liberalising when the time is right, the movement of capital between the Community and Morocco. Article 35 Where one or more Member States of the Community, or Morocco, is in serious balance of payments difficulties, or under threat thereof, the Community or Morocco, as the case may be, may, in accordance with the conditions established under the GATT and Articles VIII and XIV of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, adopt restrictions on current transactions which shall be of limited duration and may not go beyond what is strictly necessary to remedy the balance of payments situation. The Community or Morocco, as the case may be, shall inform the other Party forthwith and shall submit to it as soon as possible a timetable for the elimination of the measures concerned. CHAPTER II COMPETITION AND OTHER ECONOMIC PROVISIONS Article 36 1. The following are incompatible with the proper functioning of this Agreement, in so far as they may affect trade between the Community and Morocco: (a) all agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings and concerted practices between undertakings which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition; (b) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territories of the Community or of Morocco as a whole or in a substantial part thereof; (c) any official aid which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, with the exception of cases in which a derogation is allowed under the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. 2. Any practices contrary to this Article shall be assessed on the basis of criteria arising from the application of the rules of Articles 85, 86 and 92 of the Treaty establishing the European Community(1) and, in the case of products falling within the scope of the European Coal and Steel Community, the rules of Articles 65 and 66 of the Treaty establishing that Community, and the rules relating to State aid, including secondary legislation. 3. The Association Council shall, within five years of the entry into force of this Agreement, adopt the necessary rules for the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2. Until these rules are adopted, the provisions of the Agreement on interpretation and application of Articles VI, XVI and XXIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade shall be applied as the rules for the implementation of paragraph 1(c) and related parts of paragraph 2. 4. (a) For the purposes of applying the provisions of paragraph 1(c), the Parties recognise that during the first five years after the entry into force of this Agreement, any State aid granted by Morocco shall be assessed taking into account the fact that Morocco shall be regarded as an area identical to those areas of the Community described in Article 92(3)(a) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. During the same period of time, Morocco may exceptionally, as regards ECSC steel products, grant State aid for restructuring purposes provided that: - it leads to the viability of the recipient firms under normal market conditions at the end of the restructuring period, - the amount and intensity of such aid are strictly limited to what is absolutely necessary in order to restore such viability and are progressively reduced, - the restructuring programme is linked to a comprehensive plan for rationalising capacity in Morocco. The Association Council shall, taking into account the economic situation of Morocco, decide whether the period should be extended every five years. b) Each Party shall ensure transparency in the area of official aid, inter alia, by reporting annually to the other Party on the total amount and the distribution of the aid given and by providing, upon request, information on aid schemes. Upon request by one Party, the other Party shall provide information on particular individual cases of official aid. 5. With regard to products referred to in Chapter II of Title II: - the provisions of paragraph 1(c) do not apply, - any practices contrary to paragraph 1(a) shall be assessed according to the criteria established by the Community on the basis of Articles 42 and 43 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular those established in Council Regulation (EEC) No 26/62. 6. If the Community or Morocco considers that a particular practice is incompatible with the terms of paragraph 1, and: - is not adequately dealt with under the implementing rules referred to in paragraph 3, or - in the absence of such rules, and if such practice causes or threatens to cause serious prejudice to the interest of the other Party or material injury to its domestic industry, including its services industry, it may take appropriate measures after consultation within the Association Committee or after 30 working days following referral to that Committee. In the case of practices incompatible with paragraph 1(c) of this Article, such appropriate measures may, where the GATT applies thereto, only be adopted in accordance with the procedures and under the conditions laid down by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and any other relevant instrument negotiated under its auspices which is applicable between the Parties. 7. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary adopted in accordance with paragraph 3, the Parties shall exchange information taking into account the limitations imposed by the requirements of professional and business secrecy. Article 37 The Member States and Morocco shall progressively adjust, without affecting commitments made under the GATT, any State monopolies of a commercial character so as to ensure that, by the end of the fifth year following the entry into force of this Agreement, no discrimination regarding the conditions under which goods are procured and marketed exists between nationals of the Member States and of Morocco. The Association Committee will be informed about the measures adopted to implement this objective. Article 38 With regard to public enterprises and enterprises which have been granted special or exclusive rights, the Association Council shall ensure, from the fifth year following the entry into force of this Agreement, that no measure which disturbs trade between the Community and Morocco in a manner which runs counter to the interests of the Parties is adopted or maintained. This provision shall not impede the performance in fact or in law of the specific functions assigned to those enterprises. Article 39 1. The Parties shall provide suitable and effective protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights, in line with the highest international standards. This shall encompass effective means of enforcing such rights. 2. Implementation of this Article and of Annex 7 shall be regularly assessed by the Parties. If difficulties which affect trade arise in connection with intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights, either Party may request urgent consultations to find mutually satisfactory solutions. Article 40 1. The Parties shall take appropriate steps to promote the use by Morocco of Community technical rules and European standards for industrial and agri-food products and certification procedures. 2. Using the principles set out in paragraph 1 as a basis, the Parties shall, when the circumstances are right, conclude agreements for the mutual recognition of certifications. Article 41 1. The Parties shall set as their objective a reciprocal and gradual liberalisation of public procurement contracts. 2. The Association Council shall take the steps necessary to implement paragraph 1. TITLE V ECONOMIC COOPERATION Article 42 Objectives 1. The Parties undertake to step up economic cooperation in their mutual interest and in the spirit of partnership which is at the root of this Agreement. 2. The objective of economic cooperation shall be to support Morocco's own efforts to achieve sustainable economic and social development. Article 43 Scope 1. Cooperation will be targeted first and foremost at areas of activity suffering the effects of internal constraints and difficulties or affected by the process of liberalising Morocco's economy as a whole, and more particularly by the liberalisation of trade between Morocco and the Community. 2. Similarly, cooperation shall focus on areas likely to bring the economies of the Community and Morocco closer together, particularly those which will generate growth and employment. 3. Cooperation shall foster economic integration within the Maghreb using any measures likely to further such relations within the region. 4. Preservation of the environment and ecological balances shall constitute a central component of the various fields of economic cooperation. 5. Where appropriate, the Parties shall determine by agreement other fields of economic cooperation. Article 44 Methods Economic cooperation shall involve methods including: (a) regular economic dialogue between the two Parties covering all aspects of macroeconomic policy; (b) communication and exchanges of information; (c) advice, use of the services of experts and training; (d) joint ventures; (e) assistance with technical, administrative and regulatory matters. Article 45 Regional cooperation In order to make the most of this Agreement, the Parties shall foster all activities which have a regional impact or involve third countries, notably: (a) intra-regional trade within the Maghreb; (b) environmental matters; (c) the development of economic infrastructure; (d) research in science and technology; (e) cultural matters; (f) customs matters; (g) regional institutions and the establishment of common or harmonised programmes and policies. Article 46 Education and training The aim of cooperation shall be to: (a) find ways to bring about a significant improvement in education and training, including vocational training; (b) place special emphasis on giving the female population access to education, including technical training, higher education and vocational training; (c) encourage the establishment of lasting links between specialist bodies on the Parties' territories in order to pool and exchange experience and methods. Article 47 Scientific, technical and technological cooperation The aim of cooperation shall be to: (a) encourage the establishment of permanent links between the Parties' scientific communities, notably by means of: - providing Morocco with access to Community research and technological development programmes in accordance with Community rules governing non-Community countries' involvement in such programmes, - Moroccan participation in networks of decentralised cooperation, - promoting synergy in training and research; b) improve Morocco's research capabilities; c) stimulate technological innovation and the transfer of new technology and know-how; d) encourage all activities aimed at establishing synergy at regional level. Article 48 Environment The aim of cooperation shall be to prevent deterioration of the environment, to improve the quality of the environment, to protect human health and to achieve rational use of natural resources for sustainable development. The Parties undertake to cooperate in areas including: (a) soil and water quality; (b) the consequences of development, particularly industrial development (especially safety of installations and waste); (c) monitoring and preventing pollution of the sea. Article 49 Industrial cooperation The aim of cooperation shall be to: (a) encourage cooperation between the Parties' economic operators, including cooperation in the context of access for Morocco to Community business networks and decentralised cooperation networks; (b) back the effort to modernise and restructure Morocco's public and private sector industry (including the agri-food industry); (c) foster an environment which favours private initiative, with the aim of stimulating and diversifying output for the domestic and export markets; (d) make the most of Morocco's human resources and industrial potential through better use of policy in the fields of innovation and research and technological development; (e) facilitate access to credit to finance investment. Article 50 Promotion and protection of investment The aim of cooperation shall be to create a favourable climate for flows of investment, and to use the following in particular: (a) the establishment of harmonised and simplified procedures, co-investment machinery (especially to link small and medium-sized enterprises) and methods of identifying and providing information on investment opportunities; (b) the establishment, where appropriate, of a legal framework to promote investment, chiefly through the conclusion by Morocco and the Member States of investment protection agreements and agreements preventing double taxation. Article 51 Cooperation in standardisation and conformity assessment The Parties shall cooperate in developing: (a) the use of Community rules in standardisation, metrology, quality control and conformity assessment; (b) the updating of Moroccan laboratories, leading eventually to the conclusion of mutual recognition agreements for conformity assessment; (c) the bodies responsible for intellectual, industrial and commercial property and for standardisation and quality in Morocco. Article 52 Approximation of legislation Cooperation shall be aimed at helping Morocco to bring its legislation closer to that of the Community in the areas covered by this Agreement. Article 53 Financial services The aim of cooperation shall be to achieve closer common rules and standards in areas including the following: (a) bolstering and restructuring Morocco's financial sectors; (b) improving accounting, auditing, supervision and regulation of financial services and financial monitoring in Morocco. Article 54 Agriculture and fisheries The aim of cooperation shall be to: (a) modernise and restructure agriculture and fisheries through methods including the modernisation of infrastructure and equipment, the development of packaging and storage techniques and the improvement of private distribution and marketing chains; (b) diversify output and external markets; (c) achieve cooperation in health, plant health and growing techniques. Article 55 Transport The aim of cooperation shall be to: (a) achieve the restructuring and modernisation of road, rail, port and airport infrastructure of common interest, in correlation with major trans-European communication routes; (b) define and apply operating standards comparable to those found in the Community; (c) bring equipment up to Community standards, particularly where multimodal transport, containerisation and transhipment are concerned; (d) gradually improve road, maritime and multimodal transit and the management of ports, airports, sea and air traffic and railways. Article 56 Telecommunications and information technology Cooperation shall focus on: (a) telecommunications in general; (b) standardisation, conformity testing and certification for information technology and telecommunications; (c) dissemination of new information technologies, particularly in relation to networks and the interconnection of networks (ISDN - integrated services digital networks - and EDI - electronic data interchange); (d) stimulating research on and development of new communication and information technology facilities to develop the market in equipment, services and applications related to information technology and to communications, services and installations. Article 57 Energy Cooperation shall focus on: (a) renewable energy; (b) promoting the saving of energy; (c) applied research relating to networks of databases linking the two Parties' economic and social operators; (d) backing efforts to modernise and develop energy networks and the interconnection of such networks with Community networks. Article 58 Tourism The aim of cooperation shall be to develop tourism, particularly with regard to: (a) catering management and quality of service in the various fields connected with catering; (b) development of marketing; (c) promotion of tourism for young people. Article 59 Cooperation in customs matters 1. The aim of cooperation shall be to ensure fair trade and compliance with trade rules. It shall focus on: (a) simplifying customs checks and procedures; (b) the use of the single administrative document and creating a link between the Community and Moroccan transit systems. 2. Without prejudice to other forms of cooperation provided for in this Agreement, and particularly those provided for in Articles 61 and 62, the Contracting Parties' administrative authorities shall provide mutual assistance in accordance with the terms of Protocol 5. Article 60 Cooperation in statistics The aim of cooperation shall be to bring the methods used by the Parties closer together and to put to use data on all areas covered by this Agreement for which statistics can be collected. Article 61 Money laundering 1. The Parties agree on the need to work towards and cooperate on preventing the use of their financial systems to launder the proceeds of criminal activities in general and drug trafficking in particular. 2. Cooperation in this area shall include administrative and technical assistance with the purpose of establishing suitable standards against money laundering equivalent to those adopted by the Community and international fora in this field, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Article 62 Combating drug use and trafficking 1. The aim of cooperation shall be to: (a) improve the effectiveness of policies and measures to prevent and combat the production and supply of and trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances; (b) eliminate illicit consumption of such products. 2. The Parties shall together set out appropriate strategies and methods of cooperation, in accordance with their own legislation, to attain those objectives. For any action which is not conducted jointly, there shall be consultations and close coordination. Such action may involve the appropriate public and private sector institutions and international organisations, in collaboration with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the relevant authorities in the Community and the Member States. 3. Cooperation shall take the following forms in particular: (a) the establishment or expansion of clinics/hostels and information centres for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts; (b) the implementation of prevention, information, training and epidemiological research projects; (c) the establishment of standards for preventing diversion of precursors and other essential ingredients for the illicit manufacture of narcotics and psychotropic substances, which are equivalent to those adopted by the Community and the appropriate international authorities, particularly the Chemicals Action Task Force (CATF); (d) the planning and implementation of programmes providing alternatives to the illicit cultivation of narcotic plants in areas where such cultivation occurs. Article 63 The two Parties shall together establish the procedures needed to achieve cooperation in the fields covered by this title. TITLE VI COOPERATION IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL MATTERS CHAPTER I WORKERS Article 64 1. The treatment accorded by each Member State to workers of Moroccan nationality employed in its territory shall be free from any discrimination based on nationality, as regards working conditions, remuneration and dismissal, relative to its own nationals. 2. All Moroccan workers allowed to undertake paid employment in the territory of a Member State on a temporary basis shall be covered by the provisions of paragraph 1 with regard to working conditions and remuneration. 3. Morocco shall accord the same treatment to workers who are nationals of a Member State and employed in its territory. Article 65 1. Subject to the provisions of the following paragraphs, workers of Moroccan nationality and any members of their families living with them shall enjoy, in the field of social security, treatment free from any discrimination based on nationality relative to nationals of the Member States in which they are employed. The concept of social security shall cover the branches of social security dealing with sickness and maternity benefits, invalidity, old-age and survivors' benefits, industrial accident and occupational disease benefits and death, unemployment and family benefits. These provisions shall not, however, cause the other coordination rules provided for in Community legislation based on Article 51 of the EC Treaty to apply, except under the conditions set out in Article 67 of this Agreement. 2. All periods of insurance, employment or residence completed by such workers in the various Member States shall be added together for the purpose of pensions and annuities in respect of old-age, invalidity and survivors' benefits and family, sickness and maternity benefits and also for that of medical care for the workers and for members of their families resident in the Community. 3. The workers in question shall receive family allowances for members of their families who are resident in the Community. 4. The workers in question shall be able to transfer freely to Morocco, at the rates applied by virtue of the legislation of the debtor Member State or States, any pensions or annuities in respect of old age, survivor status, industrial accident or occupational disease, or of invalidity resulting from industrial accident or occupational disease, except in the case of special non-contributory benefits. 5. Morocco shall accord to workers who are nationals of a Member State and employed in its territory, and to the members of their families, treatment similar to that specified in paragraphs 1, 3 and 4. Article 66 The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to nationals of the Parties residing or working illegally in the territory of their host countries. Article 67 1. Before the end of the first year following the entry into force of this Agreement, the Association Council shall adopt provisions to implement the principles set out in Article 65. 2. The Association Council shall adopt detailed rules for administrative cooperation providing the necessary management and monitoring guarantees for the application of the provisions referred to in paragraph 1. Article 68 The provisions adopted by the Association Council in accordance with Article 67 shall not affect any rights or obligations arising from bilateral agreements linking Morocco and the Member States where those agreements provide for more favourable treatment of nationals of Morocco or of the Member States. CHAPTER II DIALOGUE IN SOCIAL MATTERS Article 69 1. The Parties shall conduct regular dialogue on any social matter which is of interest to them. 2. Such dialogue shall be used to find ways to achieve progress in the field of movement of workers and equal treatment and social integration for Moroccan and Community nationals residing legally in the territories of their host countries. 3. Dialogue shall cover in particular all issues connected with: (a) the living and working conditions of the migrant communities; (b) migration; (c) illegal immigration and the conditions governing the return of individuals who are in breach of the legislation dealing with the right to stay and the right of establishment in their host countries; (d) schemes and programmes to encourage equal treatment between Moroccan and Community nationals, mutual knowledge of cultures and civilisations, the furthering of tolerance and the removal of discrimination. Article 7 …