Morocco Rejects EU Court Ruling on Fisheries and Agriculture \ Newslooks \ Washington \. Morocco’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on agricultural and fisheries agreements, asserting the case doesn’t concern the Kingdom. Spain and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong relations with Morocco, highlighting its strategic importance. Both parties stressed the significance of preserving ongoing partnerships despite legal proceedings.
Deep Look:
Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates has made it clear that the Kingdom is not concerned with the recent ruling of the European Union Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding agricultural and fisheries agreements. In a statement, the Ministry emphasized that Morocco had no part in the proceedings and, therefore, does not recognize the ruling as applicable to its agreements with the EU.
According to the Ministry’s statement, the case pertains solely to the European Union and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, with which Morocco has no legal involvement. “Morocco is not a party to this case, which concerns the European Union on one side and the Polisario on the other,” the Ministry said. It further underscored that the Kingdom did not participate in any procedural phases of the case, therefore absolving it from any concerns regarding the court’s decision.
The statement went on to highlight several significant errors in the ruling, describing them as both legal and factual inaccuracies. The Ministry said, “The content of this decision contains obvious legal errors and suspicious errors of fact,” suggesting a lack of understanding of the case or outright political bias on the part of the court. The Ministry also pointed out that the ECJ ruling contradicts positions established by UN bodies and other international authorities, with the British High Court having demonstrated “more discernment, impartiality, and legal mastery” in similar cases.
Morocco insists that the European Union, its Member States, and the European Commission must take corrective actions to uphold their international commitments. The Ministry stressed that maintaining these agreements is crucial to the bilateral partnership. Furthermore, the Kingdom emphasized that it would not agree to any legal instruments that fail to respect its territorial integrity and national unity.
Spain’s Response and Support for Morocco
Spain has reiterated its strong commitment to its strategic partnership with Morocco, especially in light of the ECJ rulings. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, speaking to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Congress, stated that the Spanish government will continue to prioritize its relationship with Morocco. Albares reaffirmed Spain’s dedication to “promoting” and preserving these ties, regardless of any legal challenges.
The Minister further emphasized that Spain’s relations with Morocco remain essential not just for the two nations, but for the broader EU partnership. He praised the benefits that the agreements, particularly in fisheries and agriculture, have brought to both countries. Trade between Spain and Morocco has reached €22 billion, with Morocco being one of Spain’s largest trade partners after the United States and the UK. Albares also expressed Spain’s ongoing support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, stating that it remains the most credible solution to resolve the longstanding conflict.
EU’s Position on the Ruling
Despite the European Court of Justice’s rulings, the European Union is keen to maintain and strengthen its relationship with Morocco. In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Josep Borrell reiterated the EU’s commitment to Morocco under the principle of “pacta sunt servanda,” meaning that agreements must be honored.
Von der Leyen and Borrell acknowledged the court’s ruling but emphasized that the EU remains fully committed to preserving and expanding its strategic partnership with Morocco. They stressed the importance of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two parties, adding that Brussels is actively reviewing the court’s decisions.
In their statement, they reaffirmed the EU’s intention to continue fostering its relationship with Morocco across multiple sectors, particularly agriculture and fisheries, which have proven to be of mutual benefit. While the ECJ ruling is under review, the European Commission underscored that the agricultural agreement would remain valid for an additional 12 months, allowing both parties time to address any potential legal concerns and adjust their strategies accordingly.
