EU anger over Morocco fish talks

The Moroccan Fisheries Minister, Said Chbaatou, says he is greatly surprised by the decision of the European Union to withdraw from talks on a new fishing agreement.

Mr Chbaatou says Moroccan proposals on a new accord to replace the one that expired more than a year ago were comprehensive and realistic.

Talks between the two sides on a new accord that allows EU boats - mostly from Spain and Portugal to fish in Moroccan waters collapsed on Tuesday in Rabat.

The president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, has summoned Morocco's ambassador to the EU to convey what's described as a serious message of concern over the failure of the latest attempt to renew a fishing agreement. Mr Prodi has called on Morocco to be more realistic about financial compensation.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service