European court cancels two EU trade agreements with Morocco

A European court on Wednesday declared two trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco invalid.pdf). The agreements on fish and agricultural products would have been concluded without the agreement of the inhabitants of Western Sahara. Morocco sees the region as part of its territory, but since 1975 the Polisario battle group has also claimed the area.

To follow

Shortly after the ruling, the EU and Morocco jointly announced that they would make every effort to ensure that trade between the two continues as smoothly as possible. A Moroccan diplomat told news agency Reuters know that he expects an appeal against the ruling.

Since 1991, after mediation by the United Nations, a ceasefire has been concluded between Morocco and Polisario, which is supported by, among others, Algeria and is fighting for an independent Western Sahara. Recently, there has been a conflict between Morocco and Spain, which recently led to Polisario leader Brahim Ghali (72) allowed to be treated in a Spanish hospital for Covid-19. Polisario supporters have recently objected to trade agreements between the EU and Morocco, which often include Western Sahara.

Also read: Battle for Western Sahara: ‘Young people talk about resumption of war’

The decision was made by the General Court, the second highest judicial body of the European Union. Judgments of the General Court, which often deals with cases at first instance, are subject to appeal.

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