EU’s Firm Position to Maintain Strong Ties with Morocco, a New Sting to Algeria

The European Union has repeatedly expressed its commitment to Morocco in recent months, reflecting the organization’s unwavering support and attachment to its strategic ties with the North African country in the face of Algeria’s attempts and maneuvers seeking to derail Rabat’s diplomatic gains and undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Earlier today, the European Council yet again reiterated its determination to uphold the long-standing EU-Morocco partnership, reaffirming the “high value that the EU attaches to its strategic partnership with Morocco and reiterated the need to preserve and continue strengthening close relations with Morocco in all areas of the partnership.”

The statement is yet another response to the hostile ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which sided with Polisario and Algeria’s claims against Morocco’s territorial integrity by calling for the invalidation of the EU-Morocco agriculture and fisheries agreements.

Brussels has been signaling its clear intention to uphold and strengthen the partnership with Rabat, asserting that both parties will continue to deepen these reactions across all levels.

Statements from both key EU bodies and notable EU member states suggest a deep-rooted awareness of Morocco’s strategic significance to the European bloc in a wide range of areas, including security and migration management.

This statement has resonated among EU leaders and this month continued a chorus of individual member states continuously and repeatedly supporting the Morocco-EU partnership in response to the problematic ECJ ruling.

Countries from all regions across Europe– including southern and northern nations like France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and Finland– are increasingly determined to support the EU-Morocco partnership as well as their own bilateral ties with Rabat.

A source with knowledge of the dossier told Morocco World News (MWN) that the momentum has also been backed by the heads of state and government, reiterating that the EU and its council will “continue to define foreign policy in accordance with the treaties,” as sovereign prerogative of the member states.

This consensus on the importance of European ties with Morocco comes as yet another blow to Algeria, which has been adamant in its positions and maneuvers aimed at undermining Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.

The apparent hostility towards Morocco has been further highlighted by the frustration expressed by Algeria following EU countries’ statements of support for Morocco after the ECJ ruling.

Earlier this month, a report by Algeria’s state news agency APS cited “informed sources” indicating that the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned all ambassadors from EU countries to protest their nations’ dismissal of the EU court’s ruling.

The ambassadors were notably “asked to provide explanations regarding the statements made by their countries,” concerning the court’s ruling.

A well-informed source on the dossier views this development as a significant sting to Algeria and its hostile campaign targeting Morocco.

The consensus taken at the high level of the EU also mirrors a succession of endorsements rarely seen before among decision making bodies, including the European Council and the European Commission in addition to individual member states.

It is nearly unprecedented or rare that an ECJ ruling causes such discontent among the EU and its elements, with the reaction to the ruling confirming the strategic partnership between the two parties.

The conclusions adopted by EU leaders and approved by 27 member states also consolidate the positive and unanimous momentum by EU countries, signaling a continued strengthening of relations between Morocco and the EU at all levels.

Since the ongoing momentum in support of its national cause, Morocco has faced escalating maneuvers and hostile campaigns from Algeria– which has been resorting to threats and diplomatic retaliation.

Notably, Algeria threatened to sanction France following its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara in July.

In a swift response, Algeria recalled its ambassador after President Emannuel Macron emphasized that the dossier’s future lies within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.

This pattern of aggressive diplomacy echoes Algeria;s earlier reaction to Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in 2022, leading to the termination of a 20-year long friendship treaty. Algeria’s ongoing maneuvers include issuing statements against any country that publicly supports Morocco’s autonomy plan, or opens consulates in Laayoune or Dahla.

The maneuvers further highlight Algeria’s willingness to escalate tensions driven by a commitment to a falterning separatist agenda, while neglecting its internal interests and compromising its international standing, all in a bid to counter Morocco’s influence.

Despite Algeria’s attempts at interference in Morocco’s domestic affairs, asit continues to refuse to play a role in the resolution of the dispute– definitely undermining the effort of the UN Security Council to facilitate dialogue and revive consultations seeking to find a mutually acceptable and an agreed upon political solution.