Moroccan Sahara included in new agricultural agreements between Morocco and the European Union

“The Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union have just successfully concluded, in a spirit of partnership and commitment, negotiations on the modification of the agricultural agreement linking the two parties,” said Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, on Thursday.

In a statement today in Rabat, the minister specified that “it will be signed shortly in Brussels” and that, pending the completion of internal procedures, “the agreement will be applied provisionally from the moment of its signature.”

This agreement, he stressed, “provides the necessary clarifications, while respecting the national foundations of the Kingdom.” It is in line with the continuity and “philosophy of the exchange of notes signed between both parties in 2018,” to which “the general economy of the new text remains faithful,” he added.

The minister indicated, in this regard, that “the agreement confirms the application to the Southern Provinces of the preferential tariffs granted by the EU under the Association Agreement with Morocco,” before explaining that, in general, the conditions of access to the European market for products from the North will apply to products from the Moroccan Sahara.

Similarly, the Foreign Minister specified that the text introduces technical adjustments related to consumer information on the origin of products. In fact, Bourita explained, agricultural products will be labeled with the regions of production in the south of the Kingdom - “Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra” and “Dajla-Oued Eddahab.”

Furthermore, the text recalls the position formulated by the European Union in 2019 on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, in which the EU welcomes Morocco's serious and credible efforts. It also refers to the subsequent national positions of numerous EU member states, expressing their support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, as part of the dynamic promoted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, he stressed.

Bourita added: “Of course, this is not a political agreement, but a sectoral, commercial, and operational agreement. However, it sends strong and clear signals.”

In this regard, the minister highlighted the vision of King Mohammed VI, thanks to which “the Moroccan Sahara has become an area of development, connection, and prosperity, confirming its status as a pole of stability and regional development.” This dynamic explains, Bourita continued, “the interest of the major world and regional powers in economic activities in the Moroccan Sahara and their willingness to promote trade and investment in the region, to make the Sahara a link between Europe and Africa, between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.”

The minister cited, for example, “the strong statement by the United States last week,” the “Morocco-France Economic Forum, scheduled to take place in Dakhla on October 9,” and “the action planned by the British agency UK Export Finance.”

Likewise, the Agreement with the EU “makes a qualitative contribution at the national level,” contributing to agricultural GDP and the creation and maintenance of jobs, especially in the Moroccan Sahara region, the minister added.

"Naturally, this agreement strengthens the long-standing and solid strategic partnership between Morocco and the EU," Bourita reaffirmed, emphasizing that Morocco is a reliable and credible partner with which the EU conducts most of its trade in Africa and the Arab world, with an annual value of more than €60 billion, including industrial products, equipment, and agricultural products.

Furthermore, while stressing that “the King has always wanted the Morocco-EU Partnership to develop through joint and concrete actions,” Bourita indicated that the trade and agricultural sectors are undoubtedly important, given their role in the Kingdom's economy, but our partnership [with the European Union] also extends to a wide range of areas: political, economic, social, and environmental, as well as the sectors of migration and mobility, security, digital technology, and culture."

Finally, at a time when the regional context is complex and crises are becoming structural, this gradual progress allows Morocco and the EU to approach their common future with serenity and to envision an ambitious and promising path, the minister said.

“We are now in a position to deploy our full existing potential, whether by preparing joint meetings or by strengthening our political frameworks, such as the Association Council, and laying the foundations for an even deeper strategic partnership that will guide our relations in the coming years,” Bourita concluded.