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Rabat – France has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Morocco’s efforts in Western Sahara in light of the recent rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that challenges the legality of trade and fisheries agreements between the European Union (EU) and Morocco, including products from the disputed region in southern Morocco.
The French Foreign Ministry released a statement today saying that it would not comment on the court’s judicial decisions but stressed its unwavering support for Morocco. “In any case, France reaffirms its unwavering commitment to its exceptional partnership with Morocco and its determination to continue deepening it.”
The statement also underlined the strategic importance of the relationship between the EU and Morocco. It emphasized France’s intent to work with European partners to preserve and strengthen their critical partnerships, “particularly economic ones, and to preserve the gains of the partnership, in compliance with international law.”
In addition, France reiterated its ongoing support for Morocco’s economic and social development efforts in the Western Sahara region.
The French government referenced a message from French President Emmanuel Macron to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of Morocco’s Throne Day, where Macron expressed France’s “determination to support Morocco’s efforts in favor of the economic and social development of Western Sahara, for the benefit of the local populations.”
The ECJ rulings have sparked reactions across Europe. The court ruled that trade agreements between the EU and Morocco, which include products from the Western Sahara region, violated the region’s right to self-determination.
The ruling claimed that the agreements had been concluded without adequately consulting the people of Western Sahara, and it suggested that products from the region, such as tomatoes and melons, should be distinctly labeled to reflect their origin.
Morocco, however, has firmly rejected the ruling. The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the ECJ’s decision legally flawed, stating that “it contains obvious legal errors and suspicious factual mistakes.” The ministry also emphasized that Morocco will not agree to any agreements that undermine its territorial integrity, including Western Sahara.
Morocco referenced a recent UK High Court ruling, which rejected a similar case brought by a pro-Polisario NGO against a Morocco-UK trade agreement. Morocco highlighted this ruling as more impartial and legally sound compared to the ECJ’s stance.
France’s statement follows similar remarks from Spain. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares reaffirmed Spain’s unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. Addressing the Spanish Congress, Albares saud that Spain’s position remains unchanged since the joint Spanish-Moroccan declaration on April 7, 2022, which supports Morocco’s autonomy plan for the region.
Albares also pointed to growing international backing for Morocco’s position, including recent statements from Denmark and France.
Despite the legal challenges presented by the ECJ rulings, both Spain and France have emphasized their commitment to maintaining and further strengthening their ties with Morocco.
