The Suspension of the Fisheries Agreement between Morocco and the European Union: Reflections and Contradictions in European Policy
The decision to suspend the fisheries agreement between Morocco and the European Union has been one of the most controversial issues recently, especially following the European Court’s ruling, which did not fully recognize agreements covering the southern regions of the Kingdom of Morocco, based on the sovereignty issue over the Moroccan Sahara.
However, a deeper analysis reveals a contradiction between the judicial and political aspects in how the European Union deals with Morocco, raising questions about the coherence of the Union’s external policies.
Contradictory positions: European justice versus politics
Although the European Court has made a legal decision that hinders the renewal of trade agreements with Morocco, several major European countries, such as Spain and the Netherlands, have reaffirmed their commitment to strategic relations with the Kingdom.
Statements by the European Commission President and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the partnership with Morocco, reflect this clear desire to strengthen relations. This raises questions about how to reconcile judicial rulings with the political and economic necessities of EU member states.
Direct impact on ten European countries
Among EU member states, ten countries are directly affected by the suspension of the fisheries agreement, where 128 vessels benefited from this partnership between 2019 and 2023, with Spain being the primary beneficiary.
According to EU data and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, 92 Spanish vessels were benefiting from the fishery resources in Moroccan territorial waters. The affected countries include Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ireland. These vessels fished along the Moroccan coast, from Cape Spartel to the La Güera Peninsula, including the Sahara regions.
This raises questions about how the European Court’s ruling will affect the economic interests of these countries and their ability to push for the renewal of the agreement.
Spain: The biggest victim
Spain is the most affected country by the decision to suspend the agreement, with 47 ships from Andalusia, 38 from the Canary Islands, and seven from Galicia relying on fishing in Moroccan waters. These regions exert significant pressure on Pedro Sánchez’s government to renew the agreement, placing Madrid in a difficult position between adhering to European judicial rulings and protecting the interests of its fishing industry.
Statements by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares have shown the government’s commitment to supporting the fishing sector, reflecting the seriousness of the crisis facing Spain. Will Madrid be able to overcome this crisis through negotiations with Morocco, or will it remain bound by European judicial rulings?
What next? Scenarios and expectations
Amid this tension between judicial and political aspects, it is clear that there is a need to reconsider the framework of relations between Morocco and the European Union, especially since the European Court does not recognize agreements that include the southern regions of the Kingdom. The question is whether the affected European countries can push for the renewal of agreements, or whether the court’s decision will remain the biggest obstacle.
On the other hand, Morocco has affirmed its firm stance not to sign any agreement that excludes the Saharan provinces, placing the European Union at a crossroads: either reach a compromise that respects Moroccan sovereignty or face significant economic and trade losses that could affect the bilateral partnership.
Are we witnessing a strategic shift?
The support expressed by several European countries, such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal, reflects a strong political desire to maintain a strategic relationship with Morocco. However, judicial decisions remain a major stumbling block to any potential renewal of agreements.
Are we on the verge of a strategic shift in Moroccan-European relations? And how can the European Union reconcile its legal commitments with its economic interests?
Is there a contradiction in the positions of the European Union?
A critical question arises here: does this contrast between the court’s position and the political stance reflect a contradiction within the European Union itself? The European Court bases its ruling on purely legal grounds, while member states seek to preserve strategic relations with Morocco, not only
