EU Court Ruling Unlikely to Disrupt 'Stable' Moroccan-Spanish Relations
Spain's Commitment to Bilateral Ties Remains Unwavering
In a recent development, the European Union's Court of Justice (ECJ) is set to deliver a ruling on the EU-Morocco trade and fisheries agreements. Despite the potential implications of this decision, Spanish Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Luis Planas has affirmed that Spain remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining and strengthening its stable and strategic relations with Morocco.
Speaking to reporters after visiting a John Deere machinery factory in Parla, near Madrid, Planas emphasized that the upcoming ECJ ruling will not undermine the robust ties between Morocco and Spain or the European Union. "If anyone believes that a ruling by the Court of Justice is going to call into question the stability of Morocco’s relationship with Spain or with the European Union, they are mistaken," Planas stated.
The minister underscored the positive and stable nature of Morocco's relations with both Spain and the EU, asserting that these ties will endure regardless of the court's decision. "Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s ruling, we are going to work to ensure they continue to be so," he added.
The ECJ's impending ruling follows an advocate general's endorsement of the trade agreement in March, while suggesting the annulment of the fisheries deal. The advocate general argued that the trade agreement treats Sahara territory and adjacent waters as "separate and distinct" from Morocco, a distinction not made in the fisheries pact. Although the advocate general's conclusions are not binding, they often influence the court's final judgments.
Several groups have challenged the agreements, claiming they were approved without the consent of the Sahrawi people and allegedly favor Morocco's "annexationist policies" in Sahara. The court previously ruled in 2016 that trade and fisheries agreements only applied to Morocco’s internationally recognized territory, prompting renegotiations of the deals. The upcoming ruling will determine if those revised pacts adequately address the court's earlier concerns.
Despite these legal complexities, Minister Planas' comments reflect Spain's unwavering commitment to maintaining strong ties with Morocco. The two countries share deep economic, security, and cultural links, with Spain being a major trading partner and source of investment and tourism for Morocco.
After years of diplomatic tension over the Sahara issue, Madrid and Rabat have worked diligently to mend their relationship. In April 2022, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with King Mohammed VI in Rabat, where they affirmed a "new stage" in bilateral ties based on "transparency, constant communication, and mutual respect." The leaders adopted a joint declaration signaling a new era of cooperation and partnership within the framework of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, Cooperation, and Enhanced Political Dialogue.
Since then, Morocco and Spain have made significant progress in strengthening their ties in areas such as trade, investment, security, and cultural exchange. Prime Minister Sánchez's latest working visit to Rabat in February this year further underscored the commitment of both countries to deepening their strategic partnership and advancing shared interests in the region.
The EU court ruling will be closely watched on both sides of the Mediterranean, but Spanish officials appear confident it will not derail the renewed spirit of cooperation between the two kingdoms. As the relationship between Morocco and Spain continues to flourish, the upcoming legal decision is seen as a minor hurdle in the broader context of their enduring partnership.