ADVERTISEMENT

Country suspends contacts with EU over court ruling on farm trade

The complaint, brought to the court in 2012, involves trade of agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fisheries. Reuters reported last month the government had decided to suspend contacts with the EU delegation in Rabat.

A migrant walks next to an EU sign at the border with Serbia in Tovarnik, Croatia September 17, 2015. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

Morocco said on Thursday it had suspended contact with European Union institutions over a court ruling invalidating their farm trade accord with Rabat and saying it should exclude the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

The EU lodged an appeal last week against a European Court decision announced on Dec. 10 to void the trade deal with Morocco in response to a suit filed by the Polisario Front, which wants independence for the Moroccan-controlled territory.

Thursday's statement, issued after the weekly cabinet meeting, said Morocco rejects the court ruling as against international law and U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"Morocco cannot accept to be treated as a subject of a judicial process and to be buffeted between European institutions," it said. "Continuing in that position would deeply threaten the mutual trust and even the continuation of the partnership between the two sides."

ADVERTISEMENT

There was no immediate comment from the EU.

Moroccan farm trade in 2015 amounted to 43 billion dirhams ($4.39 billion) and most of it was done with EU countries.

An EU source said the December court decision would have no direct impact on trade pending a ruling on the EU appeal. But Morocco's formal suspension of contacts could disrupt some 1.03 billion euros ($1.12 billion) of EU grants to the North African kingdom.

The EU and Morocco have struck agreements allowing duty-free quotas for agricultural products such as tomatoes and granting access for European vessels to fish in Moroccan waters in return for financial assistance. The two sides also began negotiations in 2013 to form a deeper and broader free trade agreement.

Morocco has controlled most of Western Sahara since 1975 and claims sovereignty over the sparsely populated stretch of desert to its south, which has offshore fishing, phosphate reserves and oilfield potential.

ADVERTISEMENT

Morocco's annexation of Western Sahara prompted a rebellion by the Polisario Front backed by Morocco's neighbour Algeria. The United Nations brokered a ceasefire in 1991, but talks have since failed to find a lasting settlement in Africa's longest-running territorial dispute.

Rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accuse Morocco of continuing to use excessive force against activists and repressing political freedom in Western Sahara. Rabat invests heavily there, hoping to calm social unrest and independence claims.

Earlier this month, Morocco's King Mohammed launched an 18 billion dirham ($1.85 billion) investment plan in Laayoune, Western Sahara's biggest city, driven by state-run phosphate company OCP.

($1 = 9.7966 Moroccan dirham)

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Niger Delta youths urge stakeholders to support amnesty program boss Otuaro

Niger Delta youths urge stakeholders to support amnesty program boss Otuaro

Dufil Prima Foods brings relief to indigent families in Abeokuta

Dufil Prima Foods brings relief to indigent families in Abeokuta

World Bank anticipates substantial decline in global food prices by 2025

World Bank anticipates substantial decline in global food prices by 2025

Yahaya Bello's nemesis, Akpoti tells EFCC to see ex-governor's case to the end

Yahaya Bello's nemesis, Akpoti tells EFCC to see ex-governor's case to the end

8 confirmed dead as floods sweep away truck attempting to cross flooded river

8 confirmed dead as floods sweep away truck attempting to cross flooded river

Chess master Tunde Onakoya's parents get house gift from good Samaritan

Chess master Tunde Onakoya's parents get house gift from good Samaritan

Teacher told everyone her man abandoned her for another woman — the truth was worse

Teacher told everyone her man abandoned her for another woman — the truth was worse

Ile-Ife is our ancestral home, Benin Kingdom tells Ooni

Ile-Ife is our ancestral home, Benin Kingdom tells Ooni

American school refunds $760,000 Yahaya Bello deposit to EFCC

American school refunds $760,000 Yahaya Bello deposit to EFCC

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT