Kallas and Bourita seal the Southern Provinces as an indisputable part of the EU-Morocco partnership

1. Association Council in Brussels and framework for bilateral relations
2. EU-Morocco agreements fully include the Southern Provinces
3. Joint communiqué and approach on Western Sahara
4. Statements by Bourita and Kallas on the UN process
5. Four key areas of EU-Morocco cooperation 
6. Trade figures and geopolitical agenda discussed

The European Union has taken a decisive step in consolidating its joint position on the Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco for Western Sahara, recently supported by the United Nations Security Council in its resolution 2797. 

This endorsement confirms the Moroccan reality of the Sahara and demonstrates the depth of the European Union's partnership with Morocco. All this took place in the context of the 15th session of the Association Council held in Brussels to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Association Agreement between Rabat and Europe. 

The joint communiqué issued at the end of the 15th meeting of the Association Council between Morocco and the EU also highlighted ‘Morocco's positive and forward-looking contribution in the context of regional cooperation initiatives’. Discussions between the two sides focused on major changes in the common neighbourhood, with particular emphasis on the Initiative for Atlantic African States.

Association Council in Brussels and framework for bilateral relations

The presence of Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Rabat's leading foreign policy figure, alongside Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, served to underline the maturity of a relationship built on more than half a century of cooperation and mutual trust. 

And the setting is no coincidence. The growth of relations between Morocco and the European bloc has been developing for decades through cooperation and collaboration in areas of high strategic value for both parties. In fact, both Bourita and Kallas insisted that the objectives are fundamentally based on joint progress. 

EU-Morocco agreements fully include the Southern Provinces

Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed that the agreements and partnerships signed between the EU and Morocco apply in full to the entire territory, including the Southern Provinces, with the aim of directly benefiting local populations. 

She also stressed that bilateral cooperation, particularly in the commercial and economic fields, is being developed in an inclusive manner and in full compliance with the legal framework agreed between both parties, thus consolidating a strategic relationship based on mutual trust and shared development. 

For his part, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, stressed that the inclusion of the Southern Provinces in these agreements reflects a political, economic and legal reality that is fully accepted by European partners. 

According to the minister, the trade and cooperation agreements covering these provinces generate economic development, stability and real opportunities for local communities, while strengthening the integration of the Sahara as an indisputable element of the strategic partnerships between Morocco and the European Union. 

Joint communiqué and approach on Western Sahara

In a communiqué, both parties reaffirmed their willingness to raise the Euro-Moroccan partnership ‘to a new level of ambition’ and stressed that the bilateral relationship is now ‘long-standing, rich, multidimensional and privileged’ and constitutes a central pillar of regional stability. 

At the same time, the European Union once again expressed its satisfaction with the decision taken by the Security Council, where the EU members present in the body — France, Denmark and Slovenia — voted in favour of Resolution 2797. 

Furthermore, the statement emphasises that the administration of the Sahara region should remain under Moroccan control, as this is the most serious, credible and realistic solution for reaching a political agreement that is fair, lasting and serves all parties and stresses that ‘we must be realistic, compromise and leave behind positions that lead nowhere,’ in a clear reference to Algeria's claims. 

Statements by Bourita and Kallas on the UN process

After the meeting, Nasser Bourita stated that this European position ‘confirms the international credibility of the Moroccan initiative and recognises the seriousness of an approach that now has increasingly broad support’. The minister stressed that the European consensus ‘not only reinforces the UN process, but also sends a clear message about the need to move towards a definitive solution based on concrete proposals’. 

For her part, Kaja Kallas stressed that the European Union ‘is ready to contribute to facilitating dialogue between the parties within the framework of the United Nations,’ reiterating Brussels' commitment to a political solution in accordance with the UN Charter. In messages released by the European External Action Service, the High Representative insisted that regional stability requires pragmatic and sustainable solutions, in line with the principles of effective multilateralism. 

With this, Brussels reaffirms its commitment to a political solution in accordance with the UN Charter. In the messages sent by the European External Action Service, the High Representative made it clear that, in order to achieve stability in the region, we need to find practical and lasting solutions, always under the principles of truly effective multilateralism. The support for the Autonomy Plan, expressed in the joint communiqué, is part of a more strategic vision. 

Four key areas of EU-Morocco cooperation 

At the same time, the European Union and Morocco held a meeting on four key areas. Firstly, promoting values in society that are common to both parties. Secondly, reaffirming the value of shared economic growth and how this encourages mutual investment. Thirdly, cooperation on industrial development through the signing of agreements between strategic companies. And fourthly, security and immigration, one of the most important tasks for Rabat and Brussels, especially in the current context of global instability. Issues related to energy and the transition to new renewable energies, agreements on climate change and other trade agreements were also discussed. 

This last issue is reinforced by data. Between 2021 and 2024, Morocco has had a trade balance with the European Union of around 270 million per year, positioning itself as the main partner, not only of the Union itself, but also of the major powers that comprise it, such as Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and Italy. 

Trade figures and geopolitical agenda discussed

As part of this block, the Union emphasised Morocco's constructive and visionary role in agreements with Europe, especially in the Mediterranean Pact launched in Barcelona in November 2025. 

The assessment of the six years since the Association Council of June 2019 was described as overall positive, with substantial progress in the four areas of cooperation defined: convergence of values, economic convergence and social cohesion, shared knowledge and political consultation with enhanced cooperation on security. 

Finally, the communiqué also addressed issues such as Gaza, Ukraine and the Sahel region, three of the global conflicts that most affect both Morocco and the European Union.