Rabat – The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union has turned a new page for economic opportunities between the UK and Morocco.
As Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday celebrations are rapidly approaching, Moroccan media is abuzz with what may come out of the upcoming celebration. While the Queen’s official birthday is on June 12, Simon Martin, the UK’s recently-appointed ambassador to Morocco, confirmed that an embassy-organized virtual celebration will take place on Thursday, June 17.
“Each year, British Embassies around the world celebrate Her Majesty’s Birthday, her life and achievements,” Martin wrote, adding that the embassy’s Facebook page will host “a virtual celebration of the Queen’s Birthday and some glimpses of British-Moroccan partnerships which we have filmed in Tangier, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Ouarzazate.”
“British-Moroccan partnerships” in particular jumps out for any “UK-watchers” out there, marked by a post-Brexit landscape wherein Morocco has swiftly attempted to fill the EU-sized void left in Britain’s economic sectors and dealings.
2021 saw the officialization of the so-called “Brexit-buster,” a new direct shipping route connecting Poole in Dorset, England, and the Moroccan port of Tanger-Med.
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Further cementing the newly realigned diplomatic relations is the growing trade relations between the two countries, as the UK has begun to import less and less produce from Spain, and increasingly more produce from Morocco. The new shipping line can only help facilitate this economic relationship.
The Spanish newspaper L’Espagnol reported that later this year, high-ranking officials from the two countries will meet to further discuss the rapidly evolving partnership between Morocco and the UK. The topics that could be discussed at the meeting range from trade, to tourism, diplomacy, and military cooperation.
One indication of Morocco’s importance for the UK moving forward came earlier this year, from Robert Kimbell, the chairman of a recently established British political party named “Time.”
In a Twitter post, Kimbell explained that while the United Kingdom currently buys approximately 6% of Morocco’s global export stating that, “the scope for increasing that proportion exponentially is huge.” The chairman also highlighted the importance of the new shipping route.
Besides already existing cooperation among the two countries’ militaries, such as the Jebel Tarik joint operation with the UK’s Gibraltar Light Dragoon Regiment and Jebel Sahara in Morocco, the UK is also hoping to expand joint military frameworks with Rabat.
In late 2020, several British Army personnel visited Rabat as part of strengthening the Framework Agreement on Military and Technical Cooperation and a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which governs the military relations between the two countries.
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In addition, the UK is one of the ten partner nations participating in the US-led African Lion 2021 exercises currently taking place across Morocco.
Yet, one big question remains on many Moroccan minds, which is whether the UK will move ahead and recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. If the discussions will come to the Sahara question, a UK recognition of the Moroccan character of the southern provinces could prove to be an all-around win-win situation.
In all likelihood, it would give the UK a preferential status in the North African country while Morocco would get another Western country in its corner.
The opening of multiple African and Arab consulate generals in Morocco’s southern-most cities of Laayoune and Dakhla serve as proof that Morocco is making progress in its quest for autonomy in the region.
