Algeria 'welcomes' EU court ruling annulling Morocco trade agreements

Algeria has expressed satisfaction with a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) that annulled trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry hailed the decision as “a recognition of the Sahrawi people’s rights over the natural resources in Western Sahara.”

In a statement, the ministry urged the EU to fully comply with the ruling, emphasizing “the importance of upholding the rule of law in international relations.”

In contrast, Morocco has rejected the CJEU’s decision. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry stated that the Kingdom was not involved in the legal proceedings and should not be affected by the ruling. The ministry clarified that the case involved the European Union and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, not Morocco.

Morocco accused the CJEU of bias and ignorance, arguing that the court overlooked the country’s territorial integrity and national unity.

Kamal Sabri, president of Morocco’s North Atlantic Fisheries Chamber, dismissed concerns over the potential impacts of the EU’s decision on the fishing sector. He expressed confidence that Morocco could recover its trade relations with the EU through political negotiations or by seeking new markets.

Sabri highlighted Morocco’s diversified economic partnerships and robust global connections, assuring that the fishing sector would remain resilient. He added that while the EU has historically been Morocco’s primary partner, recent investments and quality improvements have opened doors to opportunities in other regions.

Importantly, Sabri stated that Morocco would not compromise its sovereignty for economic benefits, even at the cost of lucrative trade deals. “No agreement will be reached with anyone who does not recognize that this territory is 100% Moroccan,” he declared.

The CJEU ruled on Friday that the 2019 agreements on fishing and agricultural products violated the rights of the Sahrawi people. Algeria, a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front, has long argued that these agreements were illegal and exploited resources in the disputed territory.