La Unión Europea entregará a Marruecos una subvención millonaria entre 2021 y 2027 

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced during her trip to Morocco, the investment of 1.6 billion euros in grants to the Moroccan government between 2021 and 2027. This fact seeks to reinforce the idea that Morocco is a key partner for the European Union in its relationship with Africa.  

The European leader arrived in Rabat on Tuesday afternoon. As soon as she landed in the Moroccan capital, she had her first official meeting with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs. She also had a meeting with Aziz Akhannouch, the Prime Minister, who says Morocco will work hard to consolidate this strategic partnership.  

The EU seeks to strengthen development and health, and to achieve an ecological and digital transition in the Maghreb country. Von der Leyen has high hopes for the creation of major joint projects within the framework of the Global Gateway, all to the benefit of the Moroccans.  

"Our ties are historic. If we talk about economy and trade, it is important to underline that Morocco is the first partner of the European Union on the entire African continent. But beyond economics, it is above all about personal ties, about Europeans living in Morocco and Moroccans in Europe, about our cultures that have influenced and enriched each other for centuries," the European leader said. 

The Global Getway was created to "promote smart, clean and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors, as well as to boost health, education and research systems around the world". In addition, both EU institutions and EU member states will mobilise €300 billion for all partners.  

Europe's foreign policy towards Africa and the Mediterranean has been heavily criticised for decades. This is why the Commission President is also seeking to improve the Brussels-Rabat-Dakar route. The new European strategy must be based on clarity and respect for the territorial, economic and cultural sovereignty of all African countries. 

Morocco, at the European level, does not feel valued as a strategic partner on certain issues, despite the support of many countries on the Western Sahara issue. Nasser Bourita argues that the country today is not the same as it was a few years ago.

International powers such as the United States, Germany and France have recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahrawi people, contrary to the wishes of the Polisario Front. This national liberation movement seeks to hold a referendum that would guarantee the Sahara's independence and right to self-determination.  

The last time a European Commission president travelled to Morocco was in 2013. Now, almost nine years later, Ursula von der Leyen is doing so, coinciding with a critical moment in diplomatic relations between Spain and the North African country. 

Rabat wants Madrid to follow in the footsteps of its neighbouring states and openly recognise Morocco's dominion over the Sahrawi territory under a formula of broad autonomy. The Moroccan government has also expressed its displeasure at the reception in Spain of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali, and there have been episodes such as the entry of thousands of illegal immigrants into Ceuta. 

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has tried to improve relations with Morocco, but it seems that the Maghreb country is still reluctant to reach a reconciliation.