Morocco, EU vow to continue partnership after Western Sahara ruling

Morocco and the European Union say they will continue their trade partnership, after the EU’s top court canceled two deals relating to products from the disputed Western Sahara.

“We will take the necessary measure to ensure a legal framework that guarantees the continuation and stability of trade relations between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco,” the bloc’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita say in a joint statement.

Morocco and Algeria have repeatedly sparred over Western Sahara, which Morocco considers an integral part of its territory while Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario movement.

The administration of former US president Donald Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara as part of a deal for the country to normalize ties with Israel late last year.

— with AFP