“The EU must defend its partnership with Morocco against blackmail and harassment”

S’Speaking during a press briefing following his meeting with the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, Bourita stressed that the visit of the European official comes at a time when the partnership between Morocco and the European Union are “going through a pivotal stage” which requires the Union to prove its commitment to this partnership through actions and not words.

It is also, he continued, to confirm that the declarations made in Brussels and other European capitals on the importance of this partnership must be concretized on the ground.

Bourita observed, in this regard, that the EU must “cement its partnership with Morocco and defend it against blackmail and legal and economic harassment”, noting that “Morocco expects to see the response from EU to these provocations, through the measures and policies it will take in the face of this reality.

And to note the existence of “actions which effectively contradict the EU’s commitment to the partnership with Morocco”, adding that the Kingdom “waits for proposals and practical measures capable of responding to the questions and challenges faced by face this partnership”.

The minister noted that “the ball is now in the EU’s court to find solutions”, recalling that Morocco’s position is clear and draws its foundations from the royal speech on the occasion of the anniversary of the Green March, in which HM King Mohammed VI affirmed that “Morocco’s partnerships and legal commitments will never be to the detriment of its national unity and territorial integrity”.

He added that Morocco’s commitment to its partnership and its relationship with the European Union “will not be achieved at any price”, affirming that “for Morocco, there cannot be, under any circumstances, of compromise to the detriment of the red lines” drawn by the Kingdom.

“As much as Morocco is attached to this partnership, it expects a concrete commitment from the European Union to translate it into reality,” Bourita said.

And to conclude that Morocco aspires to see, “in the weeks and months to come, tangible evidence concerning this partnership”.