Rabat – The Czech Republic has joined a growing list of EU countries that expressed commitment towards its bilateral ties with Morocco in light of the hostile verdict from the European Justice Court (ECJ) against the Morocco-EU partnership agreements related to agriculture and fisheries.
The Czech Foreign ministry said that Prague confirms and emphasizes its commitment to “maintaining close relations with Morocco in all areas of partnership between Morocco and the European Union.”
The statement comes as part of massive responses from EU countries with regards to the ECJ verdict which ruled that the EU Commission “violates the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”
In response to this display of hostility towards Morocco’s sovereignty over the region, EU countries have been reaffirming their resolve to maintain and build bilateral ties with the North African country.
France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and many other countries responded to the ECJ’s ruling, reiterating their firm’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with Morocco as well as their commitment to the EU-Morocco strategic partnership.
On Friday, the EU reiterated its commitment, noting that cooperation with Morocco is longstanding, wide-ranging and deep.
The EU Commission said it is assessing the court’s ruling in detail but conveyed that the European Union and Morocco are firmly intending to preserve and continue boosting close relations in all areas of the Morocco-EU Partnership.
Morocco also slammed the court for its political bias, noting that they do not see the verdict as relevant.
“Morocco is not a party to this case, which involves the European Union on one side and the ‘polisario’ supported by Algeria on the other. Morocco did not participate in any phase of this procedure and, therefore, does not consider itself concerned by the decision,” the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
It also reiterated its firm position, standing against any “agreement or legal instrument that does not respect” Morocco’s territorial integrity and national unity.
