La Unión Europea lanza mensajes conciliadores a Marruecos

After several events that have clouded relations between Morocco and the European Union, some MEPs and politicians from the Old Continent have recently expressed their desire to improve these ties. The diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Madrid over the presence in Spain of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali led to a migration crisis in Ceuta, when more than 8,000 irregular migrants crossed the Spanish-Moroccan border.

Following this episode, which significantly increased tension between Morocco and Spain, the European Union reproached the Alawi kingdom for using people as a political weapon. The European Parliament accused Rabat of 'undermining the multidimensional strategy and the privileged neighbourhood relations between Morocco, the European Union and its member states'. The Arab Parliament, on the other hand, supported Morocco's position. However, Rabat responded to criticism from Europe, which it described as 'paternalistic'. 

Subsequently, the fisheries and agriculture agreements have been the trigger for the latest dispute between the Kingdom and Brussels. At the end of September, the EU Court of Justice decided to cancel two treaties on these matters between Morocco and the 27 member states, a development that was considered by the Polisario Front as "a great victory". Despite the Court's ruling, Brussels and Rabat announced that they would discuss "the necessary measures" to "ensure a legal framework that guarantees the continuity and stability of their trade relations".

In this context, the EU has stated that it will support "development cooperation with Morocco through regular dialogue with this partner country in order to achieve a lasting impact", as stated by Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

"The EU is monitoring the human rights situation in Morocco as part of its regular contacts with the Moroccan authorities, which include a bilateral subcommittee on human rights. The Moroccan authorities have resumed dialogue with the Spanish authorities on the Ceuta crisis and have confirmed their commitment to regain control of the border situation and readmit Moroccan minors in an irregular situation", Várhelyi added, according to El Faro de Ceuta.

On the other hand, Juan Ignacio Zoido, MEP and former minister of the Popular Party, has pointed to Morocco as "a strategic partner". He also called on Brussels to develop measures to protect jobs that depend on trade agreements with Rabat. According to Zoido, these pacts are "fundamental, both for Moroccans and for Europeans, and especially for us Spaniards". "Spain simply cannot afford to put the future of hundreds of families at risk", he added. 

Following the replacement of Arancha González Laya by José Manuel Albares, ties between Rabat and Madrid have improved considerably. The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs continues to work to strengthen relations with his southern neighbour, one of the great challenges he has had to face since taking office. The minister assured Monday that Spain is "on the right track" to resolve the diplomatic crisis with Morocco, as reported by Europa Press.

"I think we are on the right track. Of course, the feelings and everything I am receiving from Morocco are along those lines", he said. Albares affirmed that at the moment there is "a calm relationship" with the Alaouite Kingdom. "What we have to achieve is to increase it even more; it was already a very close relationship, and we have to make it grow in many areas," he explained. 

Albares also stressed that "there is a dialogue" with his counterparts. What both parties want is "a relationship based on trust, transparency and mutual benefit, on the commitments that we have to respect them and that there should be no unilateral actions", he added.

With regard to Ghali's arrival in Spain and the judicial imputation of his predecessor, Albares reaffirmed that the government respects "all judicial actions". Likewise, "we collaborate in whatever we are asked to do and we act with maximum transparency". 

Shortly after taking office as head of Spanish diplomacy, Albares stressed that it is necessary to "strengthen relations with Morocco", which he described as "a neighbour and friend to the south". On the other hand, last September, Albares held a telephone call with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, in which they agreed to discuss common interests face-to-face.