European Commission reiterates support for EU-Morocco trade agreements

The European Union is adamant on “strengthening its trade partnership with Morocco,” despite the ongoing internal community conflict around the bilateral agreements linking the two entities.

The EU confirmed that it wanted to preserve its agricultural and fisheries agreements with the Kingdom, as the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius stated that the Union “is ready to continue negotiating with Morocco in order to strengthen the partnership.”

Sinkevičius revealed in a press statement that “the Commission confirms its commitment to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement and the agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and Morocco.”

The association agreement was first signed in 2000, with the EU and Morocco committing to provide a suitable basis for political dialogue that develops all kinds of bilateral coordination, in addition to activating a series of trade agreements.

The aforementioned agreements are currently undergoing a round of appeal, after the European Court’s decision to cancel the agricultural and fisheries agreements back in September 2021, over its “applicability on the Western Sahara region.”

The EU’s General Court maintained, in the case of an appeal, the effects of the Council Decisions until the European Court of Justice would deliver its judgment on the appeals.

Therefore, “the implementation of the agreements will continue during this period but, beyond that, the situation will, of course, depend on the Court of Justice’s final judgment on the appeals,” said the EU official.

“Member States are also aware of that and have informed their respective operators,” he added.

European ships will continue to exploit Moroccan waters in accordance with the contents of the fishing protocol, which also includes the Kingdom’s southern provinces, and Moroccan agricultural products will reach European markets in accordance with the agreement signed between the two sides.

Despite the European Court’s decision, the effect will not enter into force until all stages of litigation are completed, including the degree of appeal.