(Ecofin Agency) - Relations between Morocco and the European Union once again seem to be taking a wrong turn. Indeed, decision of European Justice Court to suspend agricultural trade agreements between Rabat and Brussels failed not to anger Morocco. The European Justice Court explained its decision to suspend this accord which include all agricultural products, processed or not, fishes or fishery products, saying “the European Union Council did not verify if exploiting natural resources from Sahara in Morocco impacted, negatively or not, the population of the country”.

However Morocco denounces a suspension with “external causes”, implicitly the Western Sahara. “While this 3-year deal is about to be sealed and open the way to greater opportunities, EU surprises us with this unfounded decision which clearly goes against the long partnership history shared by Morocco and the EU,” said minister of Agriculture Aziz Akhannouch. .

The European Union through its Foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini said “Rabat and Brussels have a vast partnership, solid and based on the kingdom’s advanced status”. Enough to reassure Moroccans? Not sure. The country indeed said the agreement annulation, if maintained, could lead to a full revision of all bilateral relations with the 28.

For Morocco, EU’s decision is related to a more sensitive issue namely, Western Sahara. Human Rights Researcher Hassan Hjiej said “EU Court’s decision impaired not only Morocco’s sovereignty but that of European Union as well. This appeal, full of errors, is an evident bias in favor of polisario and Algeria”.

The appeal was made only after a complaint from Polisario (Front populaire de Libération de la Saguia el Hamra et du Rio de Oro), group opposing Morocco’s control of Western Sahara, arose.

Aaron Akinocho