EU Commission approves talks for new fishing deal with Morocco

Wednesday 12 November 2025 - 09:50

By: Dakir Madiha

EU Commission approves talks for new fishing deal with Morocco

The European Commission has approved a proposal to begin negotiations on a new fishing agreement with Morocco, marking a significant step in their bilateral partnership.

A move towards renewed cooperation

European Commissioner for Fisheries Costas Kadis announced the decision on Tuesday before the Spanish Parliament, explaining that a "negotiating mandate" has been submitted for approval by the 27 EU member states. Once approved, this will pave the way for formal discussions with Rabat on a renewed fishing accord.

Kadis emphasized the importance of this development for EU-Morocco relations, particularly following last year’s annulment of EU-Morocco trade and fishing agreements by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The ECJ’s ruling claimed that the agreements violated the right to self-determination of Sahara’s population, a stance aligned with the Polisario Front’s claims over the disputed territory.

Morocco dismissed the ruling, reiterating that it does not consider the decision relevant to its agricultural or fisheries agreements with the EU. Rabat also called on the EU to demonstrate its commitment to their partnership through actions rather than mere words.

Diplomatic implications and strengthened ties

The EU’s move to reopen fishing negotiations is seen as a blow to the Polisario Front and its primary supporter, Algeria, both of which have long opposed EU-Morocco trade agreements. The decision comes amid Morocco’s growing momentum in the Sahara dossier, following the UN Security Council’s recent adoption of Resolution 2797, which endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the viable solution to the territorial dispute. This resolution effectively weakened Algeria and Polisario’s push for a referendum on self-determination.

In parallel, Morocco and the EU have strengthened their agricultural ties with a new agreement signed in October. This amendment ensures that agricultural products from Morocco’s southern provinces receive the same preferential access to EU markets as products from the rest of the country. Technical updates in the deal also aim to improve consumer information, including labeling the regions of origin.

Spain’s support for the fishing deal

Spain has been one of the EU’s most vocal advocates for renewing the fishing protocol with Morocco. Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas and other officials have emphasized the importance of this agreement, which previously allowed fishing vessels from regions like Galicia, Andalusia, and the Canary Islands to operate in Moroccan waters. Planas described the fishing deal as “the most diplomatically valuable protocol” for Spain, underscoring its significance.

The European Commission’s decision to move forward with the negotiating mandate highlights the EU’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Morocco, despite geopolitical challenges. If successful, the renewed fisheries agreement is expected to further bolster economic and diplomatic ties between the two partners.