EU eyes migration pact with Morocco by year's end

The European Union (EU) is reportedly aiming to finalize a migration pact with Morocco by the end of 2024, diplomatic sources told Kronen Zeitung. 

This deal signifies a shift in the EU’s approach to migration control, moving beyond solely financial incentives.

While no official agreement exists yet, the EU has provided Morocco with nearly €1 billion since 2014 under cooperation programs. 

This funding essentially positioned Morocco as a “gatekeeper” for Europe, preventing irregular migration across the Mediterranean. 

Spain, geographically closest to Morocco, has also contributed €125 million to the kingdom since 2019.

The urgency for this pact stems from a domino effect triggered by the EU’s existing agreement with Turkey. 

Since 2016, Turkey has received close to €9 billion to deter Syrian and Afghan refugees from entering Europe. 

This strategy, however, resulted in a westward shift of migration routes, primarily focusing on the treacherous journey from Libya to Italy. 

Increased crackdowns on smuggling gangs in other areas further amplified the appeal of the Moroccan route.

The year 2018 witnessed a peak in migration from Morocco to Spain and Portugal, surpassing 65,000 individuals. 

This marked the only instance where this route outpaced the central and eastern Mediterranean routes in terms of migrant numbers.

However, cooperation with Morocco comes with a complex political price tag. 

While not financial, the agreement signifies implicit EU support for Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a territory with disputed international status. 

Spain has already recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the region, while the US did so in 2020 as part of a larger political deal that also involved normalization of Morocco’s relations with Israel.

Morocco, however, seeks to diversify its partnerships and avoid dependence on any single entity. 

The country boasts strategic relations with China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and, of course, the EU. These partnerships have been crucial for ambitious projects like the joint Morocco-Portugal bid for the 2030 World Cup, the proposed tunnel connecting Europe and Africa through the Strait of Gibraltar, and the development of its industrial sector.