ABSTRACT
The starting point for the institutionalisation of Euro-Maghreb relations occurred in the late 1960s. It gave concrete meaning and form to the willingness expressed by Member States to reach association accords with the Maghreb countries at the time the European Economic Community was formed. Indeed, the conclusion in 1969 of the trade agreements marked the beginning of the first phase of the EC development cooperation policy towards these countries. Through these arrangements the Community intention was to foster closer links with the Maghreb region and thus to assist the countries concerned in their socioeconomic development. However, instead of a comprehensive package, the EC approach was only and exclusively confined to trade. The instrument employed consisted of granting trade concessions which were expected to strengthen the trading position of the Maghreb countries in the European market as a result of the preferential treatment. Other issues viewed of significance by these countries to their economic development, such as financial assistance and labour relations, were ignored.
