Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT112
2009-02-05 16:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO READY FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0112/01 0361652 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051652Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9627 INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0640 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 4486
UNCLAS RABAT 000112
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ENV, NEA/MAG
AMMAN FOR ESTH-MBHALLA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV ETRD MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO READY FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN,
AND AIMS HIGHER
UNCLAS RABAT 000112
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ENV, NEA/MAG
AMMAN FOR ESTH-MBHALLA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV ETRD MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO READY FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN,
AND AIMS HIGHER
1. (SBU) Summary: Morocco's Department of the Environment
favors renewing discussions under the 2006 Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) to create the next multi-year Environmental
Plan of Action, and has also proposed exploring a separate
bilateral Environmental Agreement, as envisioned under the
FTA. Morocco's environmental programs align with USG
development goals and agendas, and merit USG support. Post
will coordinate with OES/ENV on further discussion of an
Environmental Plan of Action. End summary.
Prior Environmental Cooperation Winding Down
--------------
2. (U) Under the procedures outlined in the U.S.-Morocco
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of 2006, the USG and GOM developed
a Joint Statement on Environmental Cooperation, and signed in
November 2006 a 2005-2007 Plan of Action Pursuant to the
Joint Statement. Significant environmental cooperation under
this plan included USAID Morocco grants, and MEPI-funded
projects administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI),
among others. These projects have helped Morocco comply with
the environmental provisions of the FTA, principally through
capacity building among regulators and enforcement agencies
in the GOM to manage and enforce environmental laws.
3. (SBU) In a January 27 meeting with EconOff and visiting
Regional ESTH Hub Officer, Director for Partnership,
Communication and Cooperation Mohamed Benyahia of the
Moroccan Department of the Environment praised USAID and
USEPA assistance, noting that it has provided the Department
of Environment with needed capacities to enforce Morocco's
portfolio of laws and regulations aimed at protecting the
environment. He lamented the expiration of the 2005-2007
Plan of Action, and stated that the GOM would like to proceed
on long-stalled discussions for a new Plan to continue that
cooperation. However, he expanded, Morocco's longer term
goal would be to negotiate with the United States a "global"
Environmental Agreement, such as is envisioned under Section
17.3 of the FTA. Given the time it would take a conclude a
new Agreement, Benyahia said the GOM proposes a two track
approach to quickly develop a new Plan of Action, and
concurrently begin negotiations for an over-arching
Environmental Agreement.
Why an Environmental Agreement?
--------------
4. (SBU) Benyahia stated that the GOM would like to develop
an Environmental Agreement that would structure U.S.-Morocco
cooperation for long-term "investment" in environmental
areas. The GOM already benefits from several agreements of
this nature with European partners, he said, citing accords
with German development corporations GTZ and KFW. While the
discrete projects under the past Plan of Action were
important for strengthening Morocco's capabilities, now is
the time for institutional support. The Department of
Environment hopes for "investment programs to accompany
Morocco's priority programs," Benyahia stated, including a
desire to have USAID resume its support for environmental
protection projects. He outlined Morocco's highest
environmental priorities including:
-- Sanitation/wastewater management and reuse, both to
protect the water quality and maximize Morocco's limited
water resources;
-- Household waste management, including proper disposal,
rehabilitation of uncontrolled dumps, and recycling; and
-- Air quality, with a two-part focus on air quality
surveillance networks and national strategy to control
emissions from fixed and mobile sources of pollution.
5. (SBU) EconOff and ESTHOff observed that USG commitments
to long-term investments in an environmental program are
uncommon, but undertook to convey the Department of
Environment's ideas to Washington. We also agreed to report
the GOM's interest in renewing discussions for a follow-on
Environmental Plan of Action and explore the next steps.
GOM Seeks to Expand Regional Coordination
--------------
6. (U) The GOM is also attempting to engage its neighbors in
environmental cooperation and capacity building, reported
Department of Environment Chief of Enforcement and Litigation
Fouad Zyadi. The Department of Environment is the chair of
the three year old Network for Environmental Compliance and
Enforcement in the Maghreb (NECEMA),a regional grouping of
environmental agencies in North Africa. This network has
held two conferences and several international
training/experience sharing seminars, aimed at improving the
North African states' capacities to regulate and enforce
environmental laws. The Department of the Environment hopes
to use the NECEMA forum to help the Maghreb countries
harmonize their approach to environmental protection, both to
further regional environmental protection and to improve the
business environment for international partners who would
have more comfort and familiarity in operating in different
countries of the Maghreb, Zyadi stated.
Comment: What Next?
--------------
7. (SBU) Comment: We hear not infrequently from ESTH
interlocutors their wish that the U.S. sponsor long-term
projects in a manner similar to some European environmental
assistance. While Moroccan counterparts appreciate and
praise past and current USG assistance, they unfortunately
perceive our annual budgeting and project development process
as less effective than European approaches to development
projects. Although Post does not anticipate that a bilateral
Environmental Agreement with U.S. funding for long-term
environmental projects would be likely to materialize in the
near future, we welcome Morocco's interest in prioritizing
environmental and natural resource protection and management,
and complying with its FTA environmental obligations. Post
will coordinate with OES/ENV to determine our follow up on a
new Environmental Plan of Action, focusing on areas of
interest to USG global environment objectives and FTA
support. We also continue to research additional options for
strengthening our environmental cooperation, including
Science Fellows or technical exchanges, while USAID is
considering support for GOM implementation of policies
relevant to wastewater management and reuse. Morocco's
support of the NECEMA network and desire to position itself
as a regional leader in this area provide an opportunity to
leverage bilateral cooperation and capacity building for a
wider regional audience. End Comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ENV, NEA/MAG
AMMAN FOR ESTH-MBHALLA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV ETRD MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO READY FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN,
AND AIMS HIGHER
1. (SBU) Summary: Morocco's Department of the Environment
favors renewing discussions under the 2006 Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) to create the next multi-year Environmental
Plan of Action, and has also proposed exploring a separate
bilateral Environmental Agreement, as envisioned under the
FTA. Morocco's environmental programs align with USG
development goals and agendas, and merit USG support. Post
will coordinate with OES/ENV on further discussion of an
Environmental Plan of Action. End summary.
Prior Environmental Cooperation Winding Down
--------------
2. (U) Under the procedures outlined in the U.S.-Morocco
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of 2006, the USG and GOM developed
a Joint Statement on Environmental Cooperation, and signed in
November 2006 a 2005-2007 Plan of Action Pursuant to the
Joint Statement. Significant environmental cooperation under
this plan included USAID Morocco grants, and MEPI-funded
projects administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI),
among others. These projects have helped Morocco comply with
the environmental provisions of the FTA, principally through
capacity building among regulators and enforcement agencies
in the GOM to manage and enforce environmental laws.
3. (SBU) In a January 27 meeting with EconOff and visiting
Regional ESTH Hub Officer, Director for Partnership,
Communication and Cooperation Mohamed Benyahia of the
Moroccan Department of the Environment praised USAID and
USEPA assistance, noting that it has provided the Department
of Environment with needed capacities to enforce Morocco's
portfolio of laws and regulations aimed at protecting the
environment. He lamented the expiration of the 2005-2007
Plan of Action, and stated that the GOM would like to proceed
on long-stalled discussions for a new Plan to continue that
cooperation. However, he expanded, Morocco's longer term
goal would be to negotiate with the United States a "global"
Environmental Agreement, such as is envisioned under Section
17.3 of the FTA. Given the time it would take a conclude a
new Agreement, Benyahia said the GOM proposes a two track
approach to quickly develop a new Plan of Action, and
concurrently begin negotiations for an over-arching
Environmental Agreement.
Why an Environmental Agreement?
--------------
4. (SBU) Benyahia stated that the GOM would like to develop
an Environmental Agreement that would structure U.S.-Morocco
cooperation for long-term "investment" in environmental
areas. The GOM already benefits from several agreements of
this nature with European partners, he said, citing accords
with German development corporations GTZ and KFW. While the
discrete projects under the past Plan of Action were
important for strengthening Morocco's capabilities, now is
the time for institutional support. The Department of
Environment hopes for "investment programs to accompany
Morocco's priority programs," Benyahia stated, including a
desire to have USAID resume its support for environmental
protection projects. He outlined Morocco's highest
environmental priorities including:
-- Sanitation/wastewater management and reuse, both to
protect the water quality and maximize Morocco's limited
water resources;
-- Household waste management, including proper disposal,
rehabilitation of uncontrolled dumps, and recycling; and
-- Air quality, with a two-part focus on air quality
surveillance networks and national strategy to control
emissions from fixed and mobile sources of pollution.
5. (SBU) EconOff and ESTHOff observed that USG commitments
to long-term investments in an environmental program are
uncommon, but undertook to convey the Department of
Environment's ideas to Washington. We also agreed to report
the GOM's interest in renewing discussions for a follow-on
Environmental Plan of Action and explore the next steps.
GOM Seeks to Expand Regional Coordination
--------------
6. (U) The GOM is also attempting to engage its neighbors in
environmental cooperation and capacity building, reported
Department of Environment Chief of Enforcement and Litigation
Fouad Zyadi. The Department of Environment is the chair of
the three year old Network for Environmental Compliance and
Enforcement in the Maghreb (NECEMA),a regional grouping of
environmental agencies in North Africa. This network has
held two conferences and several international
training/experience sharing seminars, aimed at improving the
North African states' capacities to regulate and enforce
environmental laws. The Department of the Environment hopes
to use the NECEMA forum to help the Maghreb countries
harmonize their approach to environmental protection, both to
further regional environmental protection and to improve the
business environment for international partners who would
have more comfort and familiarity in operating in different
countries of the Maghreb, Zyadi stated.
Comment: What Next?
--------------
7. (SBU) Comment: We hear not infrequently from ESTH
interlocutors their wish that the U.S. sponsor long-term
projects in a manner similar to some European environmental
assistance. While Moroccan counterparts appreciate and
praise past and current USG assistance, they unfortunately
perceive our annual budgeting and project development process
as less effective than European approaches to development
projects. Although Post does not anticipate that a bilateral
Environmental Agreement with U.S. funding for long-term
environmental projects would be likely to materialize in the
near future, we welcome Morocco's interest in prioritizing
environmental and natural resource protection and management,
and complying with its FTA environmental obligations. Post
will coordinate with OES/ENV to determine our follow up on a
new Environmental Plan of Action, focusing on areas of
interest to USG global environment objectives and FTA
support. We also continue to research additional options for
strengthening our environmental cooperation, including
Science Fellows or technical exchanges, while USAID is
considering support for GOM implementation of policies
relevant to wastewater management and reuse. Morocco's
support of the NECEMA network and desire to position itself
as a regional leader in this area provide an opportunity to
leverage bilateral cooperation and capacity building for a
wider regional audience. End Comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson