Despite ECJ ruling, France reaffirms ties with Morocco, commitment to Sahara declaration

France underscored its unwavering commitment to its partnership with Morocco following the European Court of Justice’s ruling on the agricultural and fisheries accords between the EU and Morocco, as stated in a press release from the French Foreign Ministry.

The French Foreign Ministry emphasized that it is not France’s role to comment on court decisions but reaffirmed “its unwavering commitment to its exceptional partnership with Morocco and expressed its determination to strengthen this relationship further.”

“The relationship between the European Union and Morocco is of strategic importance,” underscored the same source.

It went on to emphasize that France vows to “continue to work with its European partners to strengthen their exchanges, particularly in economic matters, and to preserve the achievements of the partnership, in accordance with international law.”

The French Foreign Ministry also reiterated France’s commitment to “supporting Morocco’s efforts for the economic and social development of Western Sahra, for the benefit of the local populations.”

From his part, French MP Thierry Mariani said the international community recognizes Western Sahara as settled in Morocco’s favor—except for the European Court of Justice.

The former French minister noted on X, “the Algerian embassy is celebrating, and its Polisario puppets are emboldened in their separatism.,” adding, “it’s a sad day for Europe.

On October 4, the European Court of Justice ruled that trade agreements between the European Commission and Morocco were invalid after legal challenges brought by the Polisario Front, which claimed to represent the right to self-determination by the Sahraoui population.

Friday’s decision is the final ruling after several appeals by the Commission and the latest after a ruling by the Court in September 2021 that declared the agreement invalid.