Latest news with #EU-Morocco
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and EU strengthen strategic partnership for Sahel peace and security
On Friday in Rabat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, met with João Cravinho, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Sahel region. Following the meeting, Cravinho told the press that the EU enjoys a «fruitful and very strong relationship» with Morocco, describing it as highly versatile and covering multiple areas. He emphasized that cooperation and dialogue with the Kingdom are a «top priority». «The close ties Morocco maintains with the Sahel countries provide us with valuable insights, a deeper understanding, and opportunities to identify joint initiatives that benefit the people of the Sahel», Cravinho said. He highlighted that the Sahel region is «fragile both in terms of security and socio-economic conditions — two closely linked challenges that require urgent attention». He added that both the EU and Morocco have a critical role to play in addressing these issues. Cravinho also explained that his visit aims to explore ways to strengthen the EU-Morocco partnership regarding the Sahel, with the goal of advancing peace and security for the region's populations.
Ya Biladi
7 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
EIB grants €70 million to ONEE to strengthen Morocco's water infrastructure
The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Monday, May 26, that it has signed a €70 million financing agreement with Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE) to modernize water infrastructure across the kingdom, particularly in small and medium-sized cities and rural areas. The loan, supported by European Union guarantees, will fund equipment modernization, network loss reduction, and energy efficiency improvements in water facilities. The project addresses mounting water stress caused by rising temperatures, increased drought episodes, and growing consumption demands, reads a press release. The financing supports ONEE's 2025-2030 Equipment Plan and contributes to reconstruction efforts following infrastructure damage from the September 2023 earthquake. The initiative aligns with Morocco's National Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI, 2020-2027) and EU-Morocco partnership objectives for green transition. EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris emphasized the bank's commitment to supporting Morocco's sustainable water solutions, while EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac highlighted the partnership's 20-year collaboration, noting €22 billion in EU and member state investments in Moroccan reforms and infrastructure. ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane stated that the project will secure reliable water access for populations while optimizing conventional water resource allocation amid increased drought frequency.
Morocco World
17-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Spain Urges Stronger EU-Morocco Ties Amid Trade Agreement Challenges
Rabat– Spain has called for renewed momentum in relations between the European Union and Morocco. The call comes in response to last year's European court ruling that cast uncertainty over key trade agreements due to the ongoing dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. Speaking at a joint press conference with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Madrid on Thursday, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized the strategic importance of the EU's partnership with Rabat. 'Spain supports the swift convening of an EU-Morocco Council to inject new energy into the relationship,' Albares said, underlining Morocco's 'privileged status' with the European bloc. Morocco and the EU have enjoyed close cooperation since signing an association agreement in 1996, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries. However, recent legal developments have put pressure on these ties. In October 2024, the European Court of Justice upheld a 2021 ruling annulling parts of trade deals that allowed Morocco to export products from the Moroccan Sahara to European markets. The court cited concerns over the principle of self-determination, casting a shadow over the future of EU-Morocco cooperation. Amid these tensions, Spain has reaffirmed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the region, aligning itself with the positions of the United States and France. Albares reiterated Spain's commitment to a strong, stable relationship with Morocco as essential for regional stability and cooperation. Foreign Minister Bourita described Morocco-Spain relations as being at 'their best moment,' citing a growing alignment between the two countries since 2022. He stressed Rabat's willingness to deepen ties and attract further Spanish investment. Both ministers welcomed the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, which they said are anchored in transparency, mutual trust, and continuous constructive dialogue. They hailed the strength of their strategic partnership and reaffirmed their shared determination to elevate it further as a model of exemplary cooperation. The meeting in Madrid was also seen as a significant milestone in bilateral relations, setting the stage for a multidimensional partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals. Bourita and Albares talked about the value of high-level exchanges and initiatives that have enhanced cooperation between the two kingdoms. In particular, the two officials praised the progress made in joint projects and emphasized the spirit of collaboration driving preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will co-host. The event, they noted, is expected to further deepen ties and generate positive economic and diplomatic momentum across the region. Tags: EU Court of JusticeEU-MoroccoMorocco spain
Morocco World
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
EU Imposed Duties: Morocco Government Says EU Partnership Cannot Be Subject to Selective Logic
Rabat — Morocco's government has responded to the European Commission's decision to impose duties on imports of aluminum road wheels from the North African country. Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said on Thursday that the Moroccan government is studying all possibilities to take 'any measures it deems appropriate to address these issues.' In the press briefing following a government council session, Baitas added that the partnership between Morocco and the European Union is 'global,' warning that this partnership cannot be 'subject to a selective logic' or to 'tailored treatment.' 'It is necessary to find a solution to these problems,' he concluded. On March 14, the European Commission released a statement announcing the countervailing duties on imports of aluminum road wheels from Morocco, alleging that this decision aims to shield EU producers and defend 16,600 jobs from 'unfair trading practices.' 'A Commission anti-subsidy investigation found that the Moroccan government was systematically supporting its automotive sector through WTO-incompatible subsidies, including grants, loans at preferential rates, and tax exemptions/reductions,' the statement added. The European Commission's decision comes as Morocco continues to strengthen its global position in industrial sectors like in automotive and aeronautical. Statistics from Morocco's Exchange Office from September of last year documented the country's development in the sector. Morocco has been strengthening its status as a top exporter Last year, automotive exports spiked by 8.5%, reaching $9.6 billion in the first half of 2024. The office attributed the growth to significant gains in the construction and wiring sectors, which saw exports rise by 7.3% and 8.3%, respectively. Morocco and the EU have already been pledging to boost ties, with the European bloc pledging to strengthen cooperation between the two parties. The pledges come after the European Court of Justice's biased ruling, accusing the EU Commission of violating the 'right to self-determination ' for the 'population of Western Sahara .' These accusations threatened to effectively annul the EU-Morocco partnerships related to fisheries and agriculture. In response, Morocco said the country does not consider the ECJ's ruling as relevant or important for its agreements. 'Morocco is not a party to this case, which involves the European Union on one side and the 'Polisario' supported by Algeria on the other. Morocco did not participate in any phase of this procedure and, therefore, does not consider itself concerned by the decision,' the ministry stated. The EU also made moves to salvage the diplomatic crisis, backing the partnership with Morocco and calling for maintaining bilateral cooperation. However, Morocco's Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita called on the EU to take action and clarify how it intends to safeguard the EU-Morocco partnership agreements. 'Morocco has been recognized in Europe as a pillar of stability, a pillar of prosperity, and increasingly over these five years, we have seen Morocco also become a reliable, always available, and serious partner in the region's security,' he said in November last year, adding that the partnership is not only positive but also indispensable. Tags: AutomotiveAutomotive Exports
Morocco World
18-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Becomes Spain's Top African Trade Partner with €22.7 Billion Exchange
Doha – Morocco has emerged as Spain's leading African trading partner, achieving record-breaking bilateral trade volumes in 2024, according to recent data from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise. The trade relationship has reached historic levels, with exchanges surpassing €22.7 billion. Spanish exports to Morocco reached €12.86 billion in 2024, representing 3.34% of Spain's global exports. This positions Morocco as Spain's seventh-largest global client and third-largest non-EU customer, following only the United Kingdom and the United States. Morocco has surpassed both Belgium and the Netherlands in Spain's global trading rankings. Spanish exports to Morocco demonstrate considerable diversification across sectors, with fuels leading at 18% of total exports, followed by mechanical equipment at 12%, vehicles at 11%, electrical equipment at 9%, and plastics representing 6% of the export volume. Moroccan exports to Spain reached €9.83 billion in 2024, accounting for 2.32% of Spain's global imports. This performance establishes Morocco as Spain's tenth-largest global supplier and fourth-largest non-EU provider, after China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Morocco has overtaken Turkey in Spain's supplier rankings. The composition of Moroccan exports to Spain shows a concentration in electrical equipment, which represents 30% of exports, followed by non-knitted clothing at 15%, vehicles at 12%, fish at 9%, and fruits at 6%. Spain maintains a dominant position in EU-Morocco trade relations, accounting for 37% of Morocco's imports from the EU, ahead of France at 20%, Germany at 10%, and Italy at 8%. Read also: Spanish Remittances to Morocco Double, Now Second Highest Spain is also the primary destination for Moroccan exports to the EU, absorbing 38% of Morocco's EU-bound exports, followed by France at 27% and Italy at 9%. Within the African context, Morocco represents 61% of Spain's exports to the continent and 79% of Spain's exports to North Africa. Morocco also accounts for 28% of Spain's African imports, leading ahead of Algeria at 18% and Nigeria at 16%. The investment landscape between the two countries reflects a strong foothold for Spanish investors in Morocco, with total investment stock reaching €1.905 billion as of 2022, generating 27,655 direct jobs. These investments span across various sectors including insurance, construction, non-metallic products manufacturing, paper, and beverages. Morocco ranks as Spain's 29th global investment destination and holds the position of first investment destination in Africa. Moroccan investments in Spain, while more modest, amount to €152 million as of 2022, creating 667 direct jobs. These investments are primarily concentrated in financial services, commerce, and real estate sectors. Morocco currently stands as Spain's 62nd global investor and fifth African investor. The bilateral trade relationship has flourished relentlessly over the past decades, with Spanish exports to Morocco increasing from 1.1% in 2000 to 3.34% in 2024, while imports from Morocco have grown from 0.57% to 2.32% during the same period. Tags: Morocco-Spain tiestrade between morocco and spain
