The recent decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) which, on paper, should have caused tremors in relations between the EU and Morocco, ultimately had no real effect for both partners.
At this stage, those who hoped to see this strategic partnership falter must be disappointed, and not just a little. In particular our Algerian neighbors, for whom these judgments of the CJEU were supposed to be the equivalent of an ace up their sleeve. “Spoiler alert”: it wasn’t.
Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy, quickly defused any desire for a break. During a recent press conference, he calmly affirmed that the European Union attaches “great value” to its partnership with Morocco. The EU does not abandon a long-standing relationship over a simple court decision. A broad, deep partnership, according to Borrell, “is here to stay”. Those who were expecting a monumental clash should think again: it’s off to a bad start.
The 27 EU member states — who have much more important things to do than give in to Algerian whims — want not only to maintain these ties, but to strengthen them. This shows that the Court can deliver all the judgments it wants, it will not be tomorrow, the day before, that Brussels and Rabat will go to war.
Algeria summons… and ridicules itself
Faced with this diplomatic ballet in which Morocco shines with its constancy, Algeria is trying, as best it can, to get out of the game. With the help of summons from European ambassadors, Algiers has tried to exploit the rulings of the CJEU to, let’s put it bluntly, blackmail Europe. An attempt which, on the scale of diplomatic effectiveness, is close to zero. European countries were quick to respond with unanimous support for Morocco and no doubt with a smirk.
None of the political analysts interpret this as yet another Algerian strategy to destabilize Morocco with this attempt to “blackmail Europe”. However, this diplomatic concert turned into a cacophony for Algiers. Nineteen European countries – and not the least – lined up without batting an eyelid behind Morocco and among them, states which clearly do not want to follow the desperate maneuvers of Algiers.
The Algerian flop is palpable, and at this rate, we wonder when they will stop hoping for diplomatic results where there are only closed doors. Those who were hoping for a European turnaround will therefore still have to wait. The partnership between the EU and Morocco is not new, and it is built on solid foundations, reinforced by decades of fruitful collaboration.
Fifty-five years of strategic relations, a title that many capitals dream of, but which belongs to Morocco. Why then would Brussels sell off such a jewel for the beautiful eyes of Algiers? Europe knows that Morocco is a key player in the region. Its role, whether in security, migration management or economic exchanges, is essential. When we have a key piece like that on the regional chessboard, we don’t take the risk of letting down an ally for a few legal decisions.
When Europe takes a stand… Algeria remains on the sidelines
As a good strategist, Borrell also underlined it with a finesse tinged with pragmatism: “The contract is the law of contracting parties”. Translation: the agreements signed between Rabat and Brussels do not tear like a page of a newspaper, no offense to some people. Coming out of court rulings is great, but it will take more than that to shake the foundations of such an anchored partnership.
What Algiers did not see coming was that its diplomatic posturing would not only fail, but would further strengthen ties between the EU and Morocco. As specialists point out, the support of European states is not a simple formality. It reflects a clear, firm and decided position: “No partnership with Morocco without respect for its sovereignty”. A message that King Mohammed VI has constantly hammered home, and that European officials have understood.
And, this is where we are. Europe remains loyal to Rabat, despite attempts at disruption from across the border. Because if Algeria hoped to play spoilsport, it will, above all, have succeeded in isolating itself even further on the international scene.
