Morocco Will Not Accept Any Deal Disregarding Its Territorial Integrity, National Unity

In the wake of the European Court of Justice’s hostile ruling challenging Morocco’s territorial integrity, Rabat has firmly reiterated its position.

“Morocco reiterates its consistent position that it will not agree to any agreement or legal instrument that does not respect its territorial integrity and national unity,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, emphasizing the country’s commitment to defending its sovereignty in international relations.

The ministry said that the country does not consider the ECJ’s ruling as relevant or important for its agricultural or fisheries agreements with the EU.

“The content of this decision contains obvious legal errors and suspicious factual mistakes,” the ministry said, arguing that this indicates a complete misunderstanding of the realities of the case “if not a blatant political bias.”

Morocco also accuses the court of usurpation, citing its disregard and contradiction of the opinion and approaches of competent UN bodies.

“The UK High Court demonstrated more discernment, impartiality and legal mastery in a similar case,” the ministry said, referencing a recent verdict in which a British court rejected the request of a pro-Polisario NGO to annul the Morocco-UK Association Agreement.

The ministry concluded its statement by reiterating that no agreement will take place disregarding the country’s territorial integrity and national unity.

The statement came in response to the ECJ’s ruling that the EU Commission “violated the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara” by concluding trade agreements with Morocco that included products from Morocco’s southern provinces.

In response to the ruling, the European Union defended its partnership with Morocco, emphasizing it’s commitment to what it described as a long-standing, strategic, and mutually beneficial relationship.

“The EU reiterates the high value it attaches to its strategic Partnership with Morocco, which is long-standing, wide-ranging and deep,” the statement said, noting that the two parties have established a deep cooperation and friendship that they both are willing to take to the next level.