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Several MEPs, especially from the PPE group, have called for boycotting a closed-door European Parliament that will see the participation of Polisario Front members on Tuesday.
Thierry Mariani, one of the vocal MEPs boycotting the meeting, said the invitation of the separatist group to take part in today’s meeting is a flagrant violation of EU legislation and the principle of reciprocity given the bloc’s historically solid and reliable relationship with Morocco.
“We will boycott the hearing of the Polisario Front since the European Parliament has refused to cancel it. We do not want to legitimize this militia supported by Algeria, which threatens regional stability and our partnership with Morocco,” Mariani wrote on X earlier today.
The European Parliament confirmed that members of the separatist group will take part in the meeting at the request of politicians from the far left.
Mariani called on the European Parliament to cancel the meeting on January 21, citing Article 10 of the parliament’s rules of procedures.
The article stipulates that the MEPs should “preserve the dignity of Parliament and not harm its reputation,” with the MEP denouncing the invitation of the Polisario Front.
According to Moroccan news outlet Le360, Mariani recalled that Polisario, which is “supported by Algeria,” seeks to undermine Morocco’s security.”
In his speech to the parliament, Mariani emphasized Morocco’s position as an important partner for the EU and linked Polisario to terrorism acts. He notably drew attention to the separatist group’s recent attacks against Morocco’s Es-Semara in 2023.
Mariani shared the same concerns earlier this month, taking issue with the far left for inviting the Polisario Front, a separatist group challenging Morocco’s territorial integrity by claiming independence in Western Sahara.
The European Parliament’s meeting said MEPs will exchange views with Polisario over the European Court of Justice’s hostile ruling on the EU-Morocco agreements on fisheries and agriculture.
The hostile verdict took sides with Polisario’s claims against Morocco and called for the invalidation of the EU-Morocco agriculture and fisheries agreements.
The parliament has been known for its maneuvers and hostile campaigns against Morocco. In January 2023, the European Parliament adopted resolutions sharing serious accusations against Morocco and its judiciary.
Morocco has long called on the EU to take clear action and show its determination to safeguard the EU-Morocco partnership agreements against such maneuvers and accusations.
The EU Commission and a number of EU countries have been expressing commitment to maintaining ties with Morocco, but no official statement on the future of the Brussels-Rabat trade agreements with Rabat has been disclosed to the public since the court’s verdict.
