EU Commission seeks new fisheries deal with Morocco

The European Commission has approved a proposal to launch negotiations with Morocco for a new fisheries agreement,EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis announced Tuesday during a visit to Madrid.

Speaking before the Joint Committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate on European Union affairs,Kadis said the Commission had submitted a negotiation mandate to EU member states,paving the way for formal talks with Rabat.

“This initiative marks an important step in strengthening cooperation between the European Union and Morocco in the fisheries sector,” Kadis said.

The announcement followed a meeting between Kadis and Spanish Agriculture,Fisheries and Food Minister Luis Planas,during which the commissioner confirmed the Commission’s intention to move swiftly on the file,which he described as strategic for the European fisheries industry.

The move comes less than two weeks after the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2797,which backs Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory.

The Commission’s decision to initiate negotiations is seen as a reflection of the evolving political context and a signal of Brussels’ intent to deepen its partnership with Morocco,acknowledging the country’s strategic role and territorial sovereignty.

The EU is also sending Morocco a strong signal of its willingness to advance its partnership based on the recognition of the Kingdom’s legitimate rights,full sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory and strategic regional role.

Last month,the European Union has renewed a farming trade deal with Morocco including the Sahara products. Rabat has always affirmed that it will never accept a commercial deal that does not respect its territorial integrity and national unity.