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Join on Telegram Rabat – The Moroccan government and the European Union said they are taking into account the September 29 verdict of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) on the EU-Morocco fisheries and agriculture agreements.
On Wednesday, September 29, the court decided to end the agreements between Morocco and the EU.
The court said that it will maintain agreements for a “certain period” to preserve the “external action for the European Union and legal certainty of its international commitments.”
The court added that it will maintain the effects of the deals as their cancellation “with immediate effect is likely to have serious consequences on the external action of the European Union.”
An immediate annulation will also call into question the legal certainty of international obligations to which the EU is committed, the court added.
In response, a joint statement from Morocco and the European Commission stated the bloc is taking into account the court’s ruling on the amendments to Protocols 1 and 4 of the agriculture deal and the partnership agreement in the field of sustainable fishing.
“We will take the necessary measures to ensure the legal framework which guarantees the continuation and stability of trade relations between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco.”
Both parties emphasized their commitment to continue cooperation in a climate of “serenity and commitment to consolidate the Euro-Moroccan shared prosperity partnership” that was launched in June 2019.
The EU and Morocco have emphasized that they will work on multiple dimensions of the “strategic partnership” in the same “spirit of mobilization, coherence, and solidarity.”
The joint statement emphasized that the partnership between Morocco and the EU is based on a “solid bilateral relationship,” mutual respect and trust.
The court’s ruling came after an appeal case from the separatist group of the Polisario Front, an Algerian-backed militia that aims to undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity.
The appeal that the Polisario Front filed in 2019 is supported by the Algerian government, which continues to arm, shelter, and finance the separatist group to undermine Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The ruling of the court remains without immediate effect. Both Morocco and the EU are also expected to appeal such a decision.
Locals in the southern provinces of Morocco have long contested Polisario’s hostile moves against the agreements.
In response to claims questioning the legitimacy of the agreements, locals have repeatedly petitioned for the renewal of the agreements.
In 2019, a petition attacked pro-Polisario maneuvers to disrupt the proceeding of the final vote for the agreements and the militia’s intent to separate locals from their homeland.
According to the petitioners, Morocco “is the only legitimate representative of our interests and of our will.”
The petition is echoed in the recent general elections held in Morocco on September 8.
The southern provinces of Morocco recorded the highest voter turnout rate at the national level with a turnout 63%. The number was far above the national turnout of 50.8%.
The high participation reflects the will of southern provinces’ aims to engage “fully and effectively” in the implementation of the “sustainable development projects launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita said earlier this week.
In 2015, the monarch launched the development model of the southern provinces, seeking to bring ambitious vision and progress in the region.
The vision seeks to create 120,0000 jobs and to develop southern provinces to become a regional trade gateway, and an African hub for regional and international commerce .
