Denver – Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, stated the European Union will work to maintain its existing relationship with Morocco, which it regards as a key regional partner.
The Swedish politician addressed her remarks to two Spanish MEPs, Jordi Canas and Maite Pagazaurtundua, arguing that Morocco “represents the second largest portfolio of cooperation on migration in the EU.”
According to Johansson, EU investments into Morocco’s migration and security infrastructure have totaled over $400 million, through programs the EU initially announced in 2019.
Although Morocco has consistently provided a buffer for regulating migrants attempting to enter the EU, Spain recently accused the country of blackmail in the aftermath of a massive migrant influx into Ceuta earlier this year.
Shortly after Spain admitted controversial Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to its borders, the country claimed Morocco had deliberately allowed thousands of migrants to flood into its enclave.
Spanish politicians led a push in the EU to adopt a resolution slamming Morocco for allegedly weaponizing mass migration into Ceuta to “blackmail” Spain and the EU.
Although the EU resolution was merely symbolic and came with little actual consequences for Morocco, it enraged many officials in Rabat who condemned the EU’s apparent willingness to side with Spain while condoning Madrid’s “Europeanization” of its bilateral disagreement with Rabat.
Johansson emphasized that the EU remains committed to “contribute to a sustainable solution” to the migration crisis, as well as the diplomatic row between Morocco and Spain. She also highlighted the EU’s Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs’ visit to Madrid in June to discuss restoring the important relationship between the two countries.
Although EU officials have held talks with Spain since the start of the Madrid-Rabat dispute, Johansson pointed out the Commission would also maintain the same level of dialogue with Morocco “at all levels.” In addition to security and migration assistance, Morocco is also becoming an increasingly important economic partner with several EU-based companies.
With this recent announcement from the EU, it appears that Brussels is looking to review the unconditional support it extended to Spain at the beginning of the diplomatic spat. Despite aggressive Spanish rhetorics towards Morocco, most observers agree that Europe cannot afford to permanently damage relations with the North African country.
