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Rabat – Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita commented on the pressuring campaign targeting Moroccan produce in the EU markets today at a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Stephane Sejourne.
This marks the first time that French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, has ever conducted a bilateral visit to Morocco.
In the press conference, Bouritare spoke on pressure imposed on Moroccan produce and all agricultural products directed to the EU from the South.
He stated that “agricultural products coming from the South are being intercepted,” noting that such attacks come as the European Union has a “surplus with Morocco of around 600 million euros.”
The Moroccan foreign minister continued to say that the EU significantly exports to Morocco “agricultural products, grains, and others.”
Pressuring products from the South is not logical, he said, noting that the EU achieves a surplus estimated at €10 billion in its exports with Morocco.
“Trade agreements between Morocco and the European Union are based on strict standards, and they were carefully negotiated to achieve a balance between the interests of all parties,” he added.
Several videos have been documenting EU farmers’ protests against the import of Moroccan agricultural products.
Some protests marked the presence of banners accusing Morocco of sending “low-quality products” to European markets, including Spain.
Recent videos also documented vandalism campaigns targeting Moroccan trucks.
The videos show farmers involved in setting foreign trucks on fire and destroying the produce they were carrying, including dozens of tomato batches.
The acts sparked concerns from Moroccan exporters and agriculture experts, who condemned the attacks and described them as “baseless.”
Read Also: Spanish Farmers Continue to Protest Against Moroccan Produce
In his address at today’s press conference, Bourita cited the challenges that continue to persist in the Mediterranean region.
He renewed Morocco’s commitment towards the revival of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), noting that Rabat along with France “must work together” on this project.
Bourita also said that Morocco has embodied the UfM through two successive secretaries general and that it is now the only Southern country that “financially contributes” to the Union’s budget, not to mention that it is the country that has presented the most projects to be labeled UfM.”
Pointing out the EU’s “hesitant strategy” towards its neighborhood, Bourita stressed that this stance is likely to hinder any revival of the Euro-Mediterranean process.
He also called on all Southern countries to assume their responsibility and engage in efforts seeking to contribute to the revival of this institution.
