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Fisheries Deal Dilemma: EU Braces for Potential Fallout with Morocco

Wednesday 27 March 2024 - 11:46

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Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, recently addressed the ongoing tension surrounding the fisheries agreement between the European Union (EU) and Morocco. Planas asserted that the EU is prepared to navigate any scenario that may arise from the contentious issue.

The minister's remarks come in response to recommendations made by an EU top court adviser, who upheld the EU Justice Court's decision to rule against the EU-Morocco agreement. The adviser, Advocate General Tamara Capeta, alleged that the agreement failed to treat the territory of Sahara as "separate and distinct" from Morocco, a stance that challenges Morocco's territorial integrity claims.

Despite the potentially hostile position against Morocco's sovereignty over the region, Planas cautioned against jumping to premature conclusions. He emphasized that Morocco and the EU have successfully navigated similarly complex situations in the past, suggesting a diplomatic approach to resolving the matter.

"In any case, we are prepared for any scenario, in contact with the Moroccan authorities, and obviously both the Council and the Commission are working on it," Planas told the Spanish news agency EFE on Monday.

The Spanish minister prudently suggested waiting for the final judgment to assess the practical consequences and determine the appropriate course of action.

While the recommendation brings no immediate change on the ground, as the deal had already expired on July 17 of the previous year, it reignites the long-standing debate over Morocco's territorial claims and the future of the fisheries agreement.

For years, Morocco has maintained a firm stance, emphasizing that any agreement with the EU must respect the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces, including Sahara. Morocco's Foreign Affairs Minister, Nasser Bourita, previously stated that "Any future agreement" with the EU must integrate the Sahara region as a prerequisite.

Bourita also stressed the need for Morocco to "liberate itself from the logic of blackmail that Europe practices from time to time," advocating for increased coordination and vigilance against the Polisario Front's maneuvers in the region.

As the EU and Morocco navigate this complex issue, the diplomatic implications extend beyond the fisheries deal, touching upon broader geopolitical tensions and territorial disputes. The outcome of this standoff will not only shape the future of the fishing industry but also set a precedent for future negotiations and relations between the two entities.