فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a significant development on the international stage, several European countries and EU institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation with Morocco, despite a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice.
France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Finland, and Belgium, along with the Council of Europe and the European Commission, announced that they have taken note of the European Court of Justice’s decision. However, they simultaneously expressed their desire to reinforce cooperative relations with the Kingdom of Morocco.
The European Court of Justice had upheld the annulment of trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco in the areas of agriculture and fisheries, citing the lack of consent from the people of Western Sahara.
In its response to the ruling, the European Commission emphasized the importance of its “long-standing, broad, and deep strategic partnership” with Morocco. The Commission also indicated that it is currently conducting a detailed analysis of the Court’s judgments, noting that the Court has preserved the validity of the agricultural products agreement for an additional 12 months.
This development comes in the broader context of EU-Morocco relations, where the European Union recently launched new cooperation programs with Morocco valued at 624 million euros, covering various areas such as green transition and migration. Additionally, an EU-Morocco green partnership was launched in October 2022, the first of its kind with a partner country.
These events highlight the complexity of relations between the European Union, Morocco, and the Western Sahara issue. Despite legal challenges, there appears to be a strong political will to maintain and enhance ties with Morocco, underscoring the strategic importance of this partnership.
