About: EU-Morocco
US open to Western Sahara options as Morocco steps up lobbying effort
The United States is keeping its options open on the future of Western Sahara as Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the disputed territory, is trying to garner wider international support from its European neighbours.
Between legality and reality: Mediterranean lessons for EU external action
The reaction to the European Court of Justice’s latest ruling on Western Sahara shows the Union can keep calm and carry on if it focuses on what it is able to achieve instead of aiming outside of its purview, writes Elena Valenciano.
Western Sahara: EU Court annuls trade and fishery deals with Morocco
The General Court of the EU annulled on Wednesday (29 September) two agreements between the EU and Morocco that applied to Western Sahara, a territory occupied by Morocco. The court ruled in favour of the Polisario Front, which had filed...
Will the European Court derail the EU’s good relations with Morocco?
EU relations with Morocco have improved in recent years. Will they be derailed by a European court ruling later this week, asks James Moran.
EU relations in north Africa hampered by migration tensions
The EU’s role and political influence in North Africa has been hampered by economic and security policy priorities being trumped by the bloc’s desire to control migration flows.
Morocco the apparent winner after migrant skirmish with Spain
Morocco appears to have triumphed in its diplomatic joust with Spain two weeks after opening its borders for thousands of migrants to cross into the Spanish enclave of Cuelta.
At EU summit, Spain warns of ‘unprecedented crisis with Morocco’
Spain sent a clear message to Morocco Monday (24 May), insisting on respect for its shared borders a week after over 8,000 migrants entered its Ceuta enclave, with 1,000 minors still there.
EU wants to improve migration cooperation with Morocco
The European Union wants to improve cooperation with Morocco on the return of illegal migrants from the bloc while also discussing visa facilitation, the EU's home affairs commissioner said Tuesday (1 December).
Morocco energy boss: We need to build electricity bridges between Europe and Africa
The solar thermal complex at Noor Ouarzazate in the Atlas mountains is at the heart of Morocco's renewable energy drive, producing over 580MW of electricity. Mustapha Bakhouri explains the country's plans to develop its renewable energy programme and build energy connections with Europe.
EU-Morocco: stage set for a new partnership
EU/Morocco relations have enjoyed a resurgence after a period in the doldrums. Now they can move forward towards an ambitious partnership, writes James Moran.
Minister: EU-Morocco pact is about having relationship we both deserve
A week after the EU and Morocco launched plans for an ambitious new trade and political deal at the Morocco-EU Association Council, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita explained in an exclusive interview how his country wants to build its relationship with the EU.
Morocco moves closer to ‘privileged’ partnership with EU
Morocco has moved closer to its goal of obtaining a ‘privileged relationship with the EU’ following successful talks between foreign minister Nasser Bourita and the EU’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini.
MEPs stir north Africa’s frozen conflict
European Parliament endorsed the new EU-Morocco Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement on 12 February. Although it's a triumph for Morocco and its lobbying efforts in Brussels, it is unlikely to do anything to resolve a long-running legal and political saga in North Africa.
Morocco pushes development in disputed Western Sahara
Building roads and expanding cities, ports and industrial parks -- Morocco is pressing ahead with economic development in Western Sahara without waiting for a political settlement on the disputed territory.
EU’s soft power to improve human rights in Morocco
Morocco has made significant progress on a number of human rights issues since the revision of its Constitution in 2011 and the creation of the National Council of Human Rights (CNDH) in 2012, but the EU must continue using its soft power to help Rabat take up other sensitive issues, writes Willy Fautré.
EU dilemma on Morocco-Western Sahara conflict remains unsolved
Morocco is the EU’s most stable trading partner in North Africa and a reliable ally in Brussels’ efforts to control African migration across the Mediterranean. But two rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) have revived political tensions in the region and complicated things for the Commission.
The ‘cadmium war’: EU in the midst of a geopolitical arm-wrestle
The level of cadmium in fertiliser production has triggered an intense debate in the EU as analysts fear the bloc could end up entirely dependent on Russia, with dangerous effects for the EU and its farmers.
Court in confusion – the EU and Western Sahara
Few were surprised when the European Court of Justice ruled on 27 February that the EU’s fisheries agreement with Morocco is valid, but only if it does not include the disputed Western Sahara territory.
Morocco fisheries pact must not include Western Sahara, EU court confirms
The EU’s fisheries agreement with Morocco is valid as long as it does not include the Western Sahara territory, a region disputed by Morocco and independence fighters, the bloc’s top court, the European Court of Justice, ruled on Tuesday (27 February).
ECJ isn’t the right actor to make political choices related to trade deals
Trade deals should focus on opening up trade and should not be overloaded with all kinds of other purposes. And when politics does sneak into trade deals, it should be left to the elected politicians and not to judges, writes Pieter Cleppe.
Fisheries agreement with Morocco is an instrument of soft power for EU
If the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement is not renewed, tensions might affect the relations between the EU and Morocco, writes Willy Fautré.
Melilla: Spanish enclave in Morocco offers an exit route to Europe
Recent uprisings in the Moroccan region of Rif have transformed the city of Melilla, a Spanish enclave in Morocco, into an exit route for persecuted people seeking refugee status in the EU. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Morocco warns EU to respect trade deal
Morocco's government warned the European Union today (6 February) that its failure to fully implement a joint agriculture deal would have severe consequences and could spur illegal migration.
EU court casts doubt on Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara
Two deals between Morocco and the European Union do not apply to Western Sahara, the EU's top court said during a raft of rulings made yesterday (21 December), in a decision that a group seeking the disputed territory's independence said was a victory for its cause.