Rabat – Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Thierry Mariani called on Monday for preserving the partnership between Morocco and the EU.
Mariani described relations with Morocco as “essential.” The MEP recalled the North African country’s key efforts in tackling several challenges — particularly irregular migration and security threats.
The MEP’s remarks come weeks following the European Parliament’s (EP) passed a hostile resolution against Morocco accusing the country of oppressing the freedom of its press.
The resolution caused widespread indignation from Moroccan governmental and non-governmental organizations, who saw the resolution as a blatant incident of Europe interfering in the affairs of a sovereign nation and its justice system.
Noting the recent development in the EP’s relations with Morocco, Mariani denounced the latest hostility from the EP against the country, describing it as “particularly worrying.”
Morocco-EU cooperation is essential for issues of “migration, economics, security, and geopolitics,” the MEP reaffirmed.
While addressing the issue of the EP’s interference in Morocco’s justice system, Mariani expressed his disbelief at the continuous interference from groups within the parliament and their constant support for the Algeria-backed separatist militia Polisario.
Read also: European Parliament’s Hostile Campaign Against Morocco – Explained
The militia have long been recognized as a threat to regional stability and have links to terrorist groups operating in the Sahel region.
In his speech, the MEP assured that it is “absolutely necessary” for parliamentary diplomacy to play its role and preserve relations with Morocco.
The speech comes a week after Morocco’s parliament issued a press release on its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament.
In light of the announcement of reassessing relations with the EP, Morocco’s parliament set up an ad-hoc thematic committee composed of two representatives from the Chambers of Parliament who are devoted to the reassessment of relations with the EP.
