EU Commissioner Visits Morocco, Pledges Support for Earthquake Recovery

Tuesday 26 November 2024 - 12:40

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, arrived in Morocco on Monday for a pivotal visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing key development initiatives. Varhelyi’s mission is underscored by a €190 million funding agreement signed with Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa. This is part of a larger €225 million integrated program dedicated to rebuilding and revitalizing areas devastated by the September 2023 earthquake.

During the visit, Varhelyi is scheduled to meet with key Moroccan officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah, and Mohamed Benchaaboun, Director General of the Mohammed VI Investment Fund. The focus of their discussions will be on accelerating reconstruction efforts, restoring essential public services, and fostering local economic recovery in the quake-hit regions.

A significant part of Varhelyi’s itinerary also includes a tour of the El Menzeh wastewater treatment plant, a critical infrastructure project supported by the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighborhood. This project reflects the EU’s ongoing commitment to Morocco’s sustainable development and demonstrates the success of the EU’s collaboration with the country on issues such as renewable energy, agriculture, education, and migration.

Morocco’s partnership with the EU has been long-standing and multifaceted, anchored in frameworks like the European Neighborhood Policy and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. As an advanced-status partner, Morocco benefits from privileged political and economic cooperation with the EU, strengthened by agreements such as the 2000 Association Agreement and sectoral treaties on fisheries and aviation.

However, the partnership has faced some challenges. In 1987, Morocco’s bid to join the EU was rejected on geographical grounds. More recently, legal tensions have arisen following rulings by the European Court of Justice, which annulled trade and fisheries agreements involving Western Sahara in October 2024. These rulings, which followed a complaint from the Polisario Front, have strained diplomatic relations between Morocco and the EU, raising questions about the future direction of their cooperation.

Despite these setbacks, the EU remains committed to supporting Morocco in its post-earthquake recovery and sustainable development, as demonstrated by the recent funding agreement.