Belgium Reaffirms Support for Strategic EU-Morocco Partnership Amidst CJEU Ruling on Fisheries and Agricultural Agreements

Belgium has reiterated its strong commitment to the strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and Morocco, following a pivotal ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) concerning key fisheries and agricultural agreements between the two parties. In a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation reaffirmed Belgium’s attachment to the friendship and cooperation between the EU and Morocco. The statement underlined Belgium’s resolve to work towards deepening this relationship, despite the legal challenges posed by the CJEU’s ruling.

This public reiteration of support underscores Belgium’s proactive role in maintaining and strengthening the ties between the EU and Morocco, particularly in the face of legal hurdles that have the potential to disrupt longstanding agreements between the two entities. Belgium’s declaration aligns with a broader EU stance, as voiced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Josep Borrell, who have both emphasized the importance of continuing to foster and safeguard the multifaceted relationship between the EU and Morocco.

Background: The EU-Morocco Partnership

The strategic partnership between the EU and Morocco spans various domains, including trade, security, agriculture, and fisheries. Morocco has been a significant partner for the EU, serving as a gateway for European trade to Africa, while benefiting from EU investments, trade agreements, and financial aid. The partnership has also focused on promoting stability in North Africa, fostering economic development, and addressing issues such as migration and counterterrorism.

Agriculture and fisheries form a crucial component of the EU-Morocco trade relationship, with Morocco’s rich agricultural produce, particularly citrus, tomatoes, and olives, finding a significant market in the EU. The fisheries agreements between the two allow European vessels, mainly Spanish, to fish in Moroccan waters, contributing to the economies of both sides.

However, the trade agreements, particularly those involving the Western Sahara, have been a subject of contention. The region has been in dispute since Spain relinquished its colonial hold in 1975, and while Morocco considers it part of its territory, the Polisario Front, a liberation movement seeking independence for Western Sahara, has sought to contest Morocco’s authority over the region. This territorial dispute has had significant implications for international agreements involving Moroccan resources.

The CJEU Ruling and Its Impact

The CJEU’s recent ruling pertains to the legality of including Western Sahara in the EU-Morocco fisheries and agricultural agreements. The court’s decision has, in effect, invalidated parts of these agreements that cover resources from Western Sahara, arguing that they do not have the consent of the Sahrawi people, who claim self-determination over the territory. The ruling follows a string of legal challenges from the Polisario Front, which has repeatedly questioned the legality of EU agreements involving resources from the disputed region.

The court’s ruling is significant in that it questions the EU’s ability to engage in trade agreements with Morocco that involve the Western Sahara. This legal hurdle has the potential to disrupt the economic benefits that both the EU and Morocco have derived from these agreements, particularly in the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

The CJEU ruling has put the EU in a delicate position, as it must now navigate the legal complexities surrounding its agreements with Morocco, while also upholding its commitment to international law and the principle of self-determination. At the same time, the EU is keen to preserve its strategic relationship with Morocco, which is crucial for European interests in North Africa, especially regarding trade, security cooperation, and migration control.

Belgium’s Support: A Signal of Continuity

Belgium’s reaffirmation of its support for the EU-Morocco partnership sends a clear signal of continuity and resilience in the face of legal and diplomatic challenges. The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement, expressing its “attachment to the friendship and strategic partnership between the EU and Morocco,” reflects Belgium’s understanding of the broader geopolitical and economic significance of this relationship.

The statement also emphasizes Belgium’s commitment to working alongside other EU member states to ensure that the partnership with Morocco is not only preserved but also deepened. This is in line with the joint statement by Ursula von der Leyen and Josep Borrell, who underscored the EU’s determination to uphold its agreements with Morocco based on the principle of “pacta sunt servanda” (agreements must be kept). This principle of international law is critical in maintaining the integrity of diplomatic and trade agreements, even in the face of legal or political disputes.

For Belgium, a key EU member state with a vested interest in maintaining stability and fostering economic growth in the Mediterranean region, the EU-Morocco partnership represents more than just a trade relationship. It is a cornerstone of the EU’s broader foreign policy strategy towards North Africa and the Mediterranean, particularly in areas such as migration management, security cooperation, and counterterrorism.

Belgium’s support also highlights the importance of Morocco as a reliable partner in these areas. The country has played a crucial role in controlling migration flows to Europe, particularly in light of the migration crisis that has strained EU member states in recent years. Morocco’s cooperation with the EU on migration has been instrumental in curbing irregular migration routes and addressing the root causes of migration in Africa.

EU-Morocco Relations: A Complex Web of Interests

The EU-Morocco relationship is marked by a complex web of interests, encompassing trade, security, political cooperation, and cultural exchange. Morocco has been a key beneficiary of the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), receiving substantial financial aid and trade benefits in exchange for its cooperation in various sectors. The EU, on the other hand, views Morocco as a crucial ally in its efforts to promote stability and economic development in the Mediterranean region.

One of the central pillars of the EU-Morocco partnership is the Association Agreement, which has facilitated trade and investment flows between the two sides. Under this agreement, the EU is Morocco’s largest trading partner, accounting for over half of its trade. In return, Morocco has benefited from preferential access to the EU market, particularly for its agricultural products.

The fisheries agreements have also been a key component of this partnership. The EU has paid Morocco millions of euros annually for access to its fishing waters, providing a vital source of income for Morocco’s economy. However, the inclusion of Western Sahara in these agreements has been a contentious issue, with the Polisario Front and other groups challenging the legality of Morocco’s control over the region’s resources.

Future Prospects: Navigating Legal and Diplomatic Challenges

The CJEU ruling presents a significant challenge for the future of EU-Morocco relations, particularly regarding the legality of trade agreements involving Western Sahara. However, the EU’s response, as articulated by von der Leyen and Borrell, indicates a clear desire to find a solution that preserves the integrity of the EU-Morocco partnership while adhering to international law.

Belgium’s reiteration of its support for this partnership is a positive sign that EU member states are willing to work together to navigate these legal and diplomatic challenges. The commitment to deepening the partnership suggests that both the EU and Morocco recognize the mutual benefits of maintaining strong ties, even in the face of legal obstacles.

In the coming months, it is likely that the EU will seek to renegotiate parts of its agreements with Morocco to ensure compliance with the CJEU ruling while also preserving the economic benefits of the partnership. This will require delicate diplomacy, as the EU must balance its legal obligations with its strategic interests in North Africa.

For Morocco, the ruling presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the legal setback may affect its economic interests, particularly in the fisheries sector, it also provides an opportunity for Morocco to engage in constructive dialogue with the EU to find a mutually beneficial solution. Morocco’s strategic importance to the EU, particularly in areas such as migration and security, gives it significant leverage in these negotiations.

Conclusion

Belgium’s reaffirmation of its support for the EU-Morocco partnership reflects a broader European commitment to maintaining strong ties with Morocco, despite the legal challenges posed by the CJEU ruling. The strategic importance of Morocco to the EU, particularly in areas such as trade, security, and migration, ensures that both sides have a vested interest in preserving and deepening their partnership.

As the EU navigates the legal complexities surrounding its agreements with Morocco, it will be crucial for both parties to engage in constructive dialogue and find solutions that uphold international law while preserving the economic and strategic benefits of their relationship. Belgium’s proactive stance is a positive indication that EU member states are committed to working together to achieve this goal.