European leaders downplay Sanchez and Macron’s statements of support for Morocco after CJEU ruling

EU leaders will indicate in writing this Thursday The “high value” of relations with Morocco, at the request of Pedro Sánchez and Emmanuel Macron The leaders of Spain and France respectively, although they have watered down the initial version of the text to include explicit mention of the CJEU’s ruling on fishing and farming agreements that violate the rights of Western Sahara.

“The European Council reaffirms the high value that the EU attaches to its strategic partnership with Morocco and reiterates the need to Continue to maintain and strengthen close relations with Morocco In all areas of the Association”, the latest version of the draft conclusions of the European Summit contains.

This latest version, which must be approved in the European Council this Thursday, partially watered down Sanchez and Macron’s initial proposal and includes An explicit reference to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) Which declared fishing and agriculture agreements between Morocco and the EU illegal for violating the rights of Western Sahara.

The text specifies that European leaders “Pay attention to recent sentences” Justice and say that “they will continue to define foreign policy in accordance with the treaties”, as stated confidential,

With regard to the question of Western Sahara, the language of the conclusions refers to the United Nations process and its resolutions finding A “fair, realistic, practical, sustainable and mutually acceptable” political solution.

On this issue, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, highlighted the “high value” that strategic relations with Morocco provide for the Community bloc and signaled his intention to “Continue and enhance” that link.

Borrell’s statement came after the end of an EU foreign affairs meeting in Luxembourg, where the heads of Community diplomacy He hailed the “long and deep friendship” with Morocco.A country with which there is “concrete and multidimensional cooperation, which we intend to continue and enhance.”