The CJEU’s rulings annulling the agricultural and fishing agreements with Morocco are having the opposite effect. EU countries have reacted quickly to escape this trap, which risks seriously damaging their relations with a long-standing partner.
They firstly supported the joint declaration by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borell, who immediately renewed, on Friday, the EU commitment to strengthening close relations with Morocco in all areas, in accordance with the principle “pacta sunt servanda” (Conventions must be respected).
The statement by the two highest EU officials is a rare act which highlights the importance of Morocco and materializes the importance of the EU’s partnership with the Kingdom.
In turn, European capitals, while taking note of the CJEU’s decision, explicitly highlighted the importance of continuing collaboration with Morocco, a neighboring country and traditional ally of several influential countries in the European area. .
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“Belgium reiterates its attachment to the friendship and strategic partnership between the EU and Morocco and will continue to work to deepen it,” affirmed the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation on its X account.
Same story in Spain where the head of diplomacy José Manuel Albares declared: “Our commitment and our attachment to the stability of the relationship with Morocco is firm and will not be altered.”
Madrid will continue to “work with the European Union and Morocco to preserve and continue the development of this relationship,” he said.
The Spanish official recalled his country’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, noting that more and more European states and the rest of the world are adopting the same vision of things.
Read also | Fishing and agricultural agreements: the CJEU still above ground
For its part, France reaffirmed “its unwavering attachment to its exceptional partnership with Morocco and its determination to continue to deepen it.”
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs stressed that the relationship between the EU and Morocco “is, as such, of a strategic nature”, insisting on the preservation of the achievements of the partnership, in compliance with international law. .
France also remains determined to support Morocco’s efforts in favor of the economic and social development of the Sahara, for the benefit of local populations.
In Budapest, Hungarian diplomacy reiterated its constant position in favor of strengthening the strategic partnership with Morocco, which is “in our common interest”.
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“We will continue to work to serve these interests by strengthening ties and expanding cooperation with Morocco to new areas,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In an official reaction, Morocco demanded “that the Council, the European Commission and the Member States of the EU take the necessary measures to respect their international commitments, preserve the achievements of the partnership and provide the Kingdom with legal security to which it has a legitimate right, as a partner of the EU on several strategic issues.
The Kingdom renewed its constant position “not to subscribe to any agreement or legal instrument which does not respect its territorial integrity and national unity”.
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