View source for Morocco–European Union relations

<!-- Source 9 is not more supported. -->{{Infobox bilateral relations|Morocco–European Union|European Union|Morocco|map=European Union Morocco Locator.svg}}
{{Politics of Morocco}}

[[Morocco]] is a neighbouring and associated country of the [[European Union]]. The nation has a territorial land border with EU member [[Spain]] in the exclaves of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]]. It also has a maritime border with Spain through the [[Gibraltar Strait]] and [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] borders with EU member [[Portugal]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]. The relations between the two are framed in the [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] (ENP) and the [[Union for the Mediterranean]]. Among the ENP countries, Morocco has been recognised an ''advanced status'', opening up to high levels of political cooperation.

The main legal ties between Morocco and the EU are set by the 2000 [[Association Agreement]]. Several other agreements cover sectoral issues, including the 2006 [[EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement]] and the 2006 [[Open Skies]] agreement.

== Legal ties between Morocco and the European Union ==
Diplomatic relations between Morocco and the European Union date back to 1960, when a commercial agreement was concluded with the [[European Communities]]. In 1976 a first co-operation agreement was signed.

At the 1995 [[Barcelona|Barcelona conference]] the [[Euro-Mediterranean Partnership]] was inaugurated, establishing a policy with ambitious and long-term objectives in the fields of the political and security partnership, the economic and financial partnership and cooperation in social, cultural and human affairs.

The beginning of King [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]]'s reign in July 1999 marked a major shift towards more cooperation, comprehension and partnership. In order to improve the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation, the EU and Morocco set up the [[Association Agreement|EU–Morocco Association Agreement]]. This document, dated 1 March 2000, is the legal basis for relations between Morocco and the EU.

With the inauguration of the [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] and of the [[Union for the Mediterranean]], Morocco and the EU have drafted and adopted an ENP Action Plan in July 2005, delineating the next steps of cooperation. Under the Neighbourhood Action Plan Morocco has embarked on a major effort to align itself on the legislation and standards of the EU. This should enable it to gradually advance the possibilities offered by the Neighbourhood Policy, and in particular progress beyond the existing relations towards a significant degree of integration; this includes allowing Morocco to participate in the single market and taking part gradually in EU programmes. This will require a great effort by Morocco to create the necessary legislative and institutional conditions. This ambition is reflected in Morocco's advanced status with the EU which is "more than association, less than accession".

With the Advanced Status granted to Morocco on 13 October 2008, the partnership acquired a high-level political cooperation level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/32022|work=afrol News|title=EU grants advanced status to Morocco|access-date=2009-11-12|archive-date=2022-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605185357/http://www.afrol.com/articles/32022|url-status=live}}</ref> The first EU-Morocco summit took place on 7 March 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montesquieu-instituut.nl/9353000/1/j9vvh6nf08temv0/vibfbpqq0cqm?ctx=vg9piqcfmzzz&tab=1|title=EU-Morocco summit – |publisher=Montesquieu Instituut}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME01.XAM18013.html |title=EU-Morocco: Summit to Strengthen Relations in 2010 |work=ANSAmed |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=2009-12-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223042654/http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME01.XAM18013.html |archive-date=2009-12-23 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2009/12/08/newsbrief-04 |title=EU, Morocco plan first bilateral summit |date=8 December 2009 |work=Magharebia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225141932/http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2009/12/08/newsbrief-04 |archive-date=25 February 2012 |access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>

=== Bilateral agreements ===

Fisheries agreements (the latest being the 2006 [[EU–Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement]], FPA) have been periodically signed between Morocco and the EU since the 1980s, allowing European vessels (especially Spanish and Portuguese) to fish in Moroccan waters in exchange for a monetary contribution.

Since 2000 Morocco and the EU have signed many bilateral agreements. Various agreements of [[free trade]] that Morocco ratified with its principal economic partners like the [[Euro-Mediterranean free trade area]] agreement. The two sides recently announced plans to extend their Free Trade Agreement to cover not only goods, but also agriculture and services, giving Morocco almost the same deal with Europe as member states have with each other. Those agreements are parts of the [[Euro-Mediterranean free trade area]] signed in [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]] in 1995.

Morocco and the EU have also signed an [[Open skies|open skies agreement]]. The agreement is Europe's first ever outside its borders. It came into force in summer 2006.

In 2017, [[Federica Mogherini]], the EU's [[High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]]<!-- not "foreign minister" - the EU has no common foreign policy -->, stirred controversy and diplomatic confusion over her statement that the trade agreements between Morocco and the EU would not be affected by the 2016 ruling by the [[European Court of Justice]] on the scope of trade with Morocco. This ruling confirmed that bilateral trade deals, such as the [[EU–Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement]], covers only agricultural produce and fishing products originating within the internationally recognised borders of Morocco, thus explicitly excluding any product sourced from [[Western Sahara]] or its territorial waters. The [[international community]], including the EU, almost unanimously rejects [[Legal status of Western Sahara|Morocco's territorial claim to Western Sahara]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-morocco-idUSL5N1FS5V1|title=EU to uphold Morocco farm accord despite Western Sahara ruling|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line &-->|work=Reuters|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-date=May 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503022323/https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-morocco-idUSL5N1FS5V1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://euobserver.com/economic/135063 |title=Morocco deals don't cover Western Sahara, EU lawyer says |first=Aleksandra |last=Eriksson |date=13 September 2016 |website=EUobserver |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304123550/https://euobserver.com/economic/135063 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/the-eus-morocco-problem-western-sahara-trade-judgment/|title=The EU's Morocco problem|date=December 23, 2016|website=Politico|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-date=April 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404175648/https://www.politico.eu/article/the-eus-morocco-problem-western-sahara-trade-judgment/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2016/12/21/european-court-dismisses-moroccos-claim-to-western-sahara-throwing-eu-trade-deal-into-doubt/|title=European Court Dismisses Morocco's Claim To Western Sahara, Throwing EU Trade Deal Into Doubt|date=21 December 2016|first=Dominic|last=Dudley|website=Forbes|access-date=11 December 2017|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605142944/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2016/12/21/european-court-dismisses-moroccos-claim-to-western-sahara-throwing-eu-trade-deal-into-doubt/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, the [[Court of Justice of the European Union]] issued a ruling that annulled EU-Morocco trade agreements on fisheries and agricultural products because they included Western Sahara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU-Morocco Relations: Stuck Between Law and Politics? {{!}} The Washington Institute |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/eu-morocco-relations-stuck-between-law-and-politics |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.washingtoninstitute.org |language=en}}</ref>

===Membership application===
[[File:European Union future possible members 2.0.svg|thumb|Countries that could join the European Union
{{legend|#003399|Current members}}
{{legend|#46a43b|Candidate countries}}
{{legend|#ffd617|Applicant / potential candidate countries}}
{{legend|#F29527|Membership possible}}
{{legend|#da2131|Membership not possible}}]]
In 1987, Morocco applied to join the [[European Communities]] (the precursor to the European Union). The application was rejected on the grounds that Morocco was not considered to be a "[[European country]]" and hence could not join. This geographic membership criterion has been part of the EU's and its predecessors' treaties since the [[Treaty of Rome]] (Article 237 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community) and was later also included among the [[Copenhagen criteria#Geographic criteria|Copenhagen criteria]]. The rejection was expected as the King had sent feelers two years prior and received such a response.<ref>{{cite news |date=1987-07-21 |title=W. Europe Bloc Bars Morocco as a Member |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-21-mn-5339-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105151706/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58410310.html?dids=58410310:58410310&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+21%2C+1987&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=W.+Europe+Bloc+Bars+Morocco+as+a+Member&pqatl=google |archive-date=2012-11-05 |access-date=2008-08-25 |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
On 19 January 2023, the [[European Parliament]] condemned Morocco for the first time in 25 years, as it called on the country to respect media freedom and to release all political prisoners and jailed journalists, notably the case of [[Omar Radi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pitchers |first=Christopher |date=2023-01-19 |title=MEPs vote to condemn Morocco for first time in 25 years |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/01/19/european-parliament-condemns-morocco-for-first-time-in-25-years-after-vote-on-human-rights |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111044/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/01/19/european-parliament-condemns-morocco-for-first-time-in-25-years-after-vote-on-human-rights |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=CRESPO |first=María Soraya RODRÍGUEZ RAMOS, Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Georgios KYRTSOS, Urmas PAET, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU, Svenja HAHN, Klemen GROŠELJ, Karen MELCHIOR, Katalin CSEH, Dragoş PÎSLARU, José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Evin INCIR, Pedro MARQUES, Thijs REUTEN, Adam BIELAN, Anna FOTYGA, Ryszard CZARNECKI, Carlo FIDANZA, Angel DZHAMBAZKI, Karol KARSKI, Assita KANKO, Elżbieta KRUK, Elżbieta RAFALSKA, Bogdan RZOŃCA, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI, Anna ZALEWSKA, Tineke STRIK, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Miguel URBÁN |title=JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of journalists in Morocco, notably the case of Omar Radi {{!}} RC-B9-0057/2023 {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2023-0057_EN.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111055/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2023-0057_EN.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RSF hails end to European Parliament’s silence on Morocco {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/rsf-hails-end-european-parliament-s-silence-morocco |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=rsf.org |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111047/https://rsf.org/en/rsf-hails-end-european-parliament-s-silence-morocco |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahhou |first=Jihane |title=Morocco’s Parliament to Hold Plenary Session Over EU Parliament Resolution |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353651/moroccos-parliament-to-hold-plenary-session-over-eu-parliament-resolution |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125102440/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353651/moroccos-parliament-to-hold-plenary-session-over-eu-parliament-resolution |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=EU parliament slams declining press freedom in Morocco |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230119-eu-parliament-slams-declining-press-freedom-in-morocco |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111053/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230119-eu-parliament-slams-declining-press-freedom-in-morocco |url-status=live }}</ref> On 23 January, the [[Parliament of Morocco|Moroccan Parliament]] voted to review ties with the European Parliament calling it "an unacceptable attack against the sovereignty, dignity and independence of judicial institutions in the kingdom."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-24 |title=Morocco votes to review ties with European Parliament |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/media/news/morocco-votes-to-review-ties-with-european-parliament/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125064617/https://www.euractiv.com/section/media/news/morocco-votes-to-review-ties-with-european-parliament/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-23 |title=Moroccan lawmakers hit back at European Parliament after resolution on press freedom |language=en |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2023/01/23/moroccan-lawmakers-hit-back-at-european-parliament-after-resolution-on-press-freedom_6012745_124.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111044/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2023/01/23/moroccan-lawmakers-hit-back-at-european-parliament-after-resolution-on-press-freedom_6012745_124.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco Rejects Euro "Press Freedom" Criticism |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/morocco-rejects-euro-press-freedom-criticism/6930312.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=VOA |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111054/https://www.voaafrica.com/a/morocco-rejects-euro-press-freedom-criticism/6930312.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Moroccan parliament to review partnership with EU following anti-Morocco resolution |url=https://en.hespress.com/57414-moroccan-parliament-to-review-partnership-with-eu-following-resolution.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=HESPRESS English – Morocco News |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125111054/https://en.hespress.com/57414-moroccan-parliament-to-review-partnership-with-eu-following-resolution.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economic cooperation==
Morocco tops the list of partners that benefited from the European Union's financial support as part of neighbourhood assistance, receiving about €205 million in 2009<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco receives over euro 200 million<!-- sic --> in 2009 |date=18 February 2010 |url=http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=20&id=1392 |access-date=2022-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728194604/http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=20&id=1392 |archive-date=28 July 2017 |website=Morocco Business News}}</ref> (€654 million for 2007–2010).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vid8o52m7pze/nieuws/eerste_eu_marokko_top_in_teken_van?ctx=vh84exkkodyi |title=Eerste EU-Marokko top in teken van economische samenwerking |language=en |work=Europa Nu |date=5 March 2010 |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519185912/https://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vid8o52m7pze/nieuws/eerste_eu_marokko_top_in_teken_van?ctx=vh84exkkodyi |url-status=live }}</ref> In order to help the country in this new statutory phase in bilateral relations, the EU will increase aid for the period 2011–2013.

In December 2009, the EU granted Morocco a donation of MAD 771 million (US$100&nbsp;million) to promote investments and exports, and contribute to the financing of the [[Rabat-Salé tramway|Rabat-Salé tramway project]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=20&id=1290 |title=EU grants Morocco MAD 771 mln donation |date=7 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728194617/http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=20&id=1290 |archive-date=28 July 2017}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Donation unlikely to have been denominated in MAD since it's not a reserve currency and Morocco issues it. Is there a source that states it in these terms?|date=March 2022}}

===Financial protocols (1977–1996)===
Under the four financial protocols of the 1976 Cooperation Agreement<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A21976A0427%2801%29&qid=1646395438242 |title=Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Morocco |date=27 September 1978 |website=EUR-Lex |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304121930/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:21976A0427(01)&qid=1646395438242 |url-status=live }}</ref> signed between the [[European Community]] (predecessor of the EU) and Morocco, Morocco received a total of €1091 million,{{dubious|Euro payments before 2001|date=March 2022}} including €574 million from the Community budget and of €518 million in the form of loans from [[European Investment Bank|EIB]]'s own resources. The protocols gave sectoral priority to rural development (46%). Other sectors of activity were, in order of importance: economic infrastructure (17%), the social sector (15.6%), the private sector (10%), vocational training (10%) and civil society (0.4%).

===MEDA programme===
The Meda programme (adopted in July 1996) is the EU's principal financial instrument for the implementation of the [[Euro-Mediterranean Partnership]]. The budgetary resources allocated under Meda were €3.4 billion for 1995–1999{{dubious|Euro payments before 2001|date=March 2022}} and €5.4 billion for 2000–2006. Morocco has become the principal beneficiary of the Meda programme, with commitments totalling €1.472 million for 1995–2006, of which €660 million under Meda I (1995–1999){{dubious|Euro payments before 2001|date=March 2022}} and €812 million under Meda II (2000–2006).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/morocco/association_agreement/index_en.htm |title=The Association Agreement EU-Morocco |access-date=2010-01-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315172024/http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/morocco/association_agreement/index_en.htm |archive-date=2010-03-15 }}</ref>

Meda cooperation touched all socio-economic spheres in Morocco. Several structural adjustment programmes were set up in essential sectors such as [[Finance in Morocco|finance]], taxation, water, [[Transportation in Morocco|transport]], health, [[Science and technology in Morocco|education]], the civil service, plus twinnings and exchanges in services such as customs, the [[Economy of Morocco#Environment|environment]], youth, transport and justice. Investment programmes were implemented to support enterprise development, vocational training in the [[Tourism in Morocco|tourism]], textile, and [[Information technology in Morocco|information and communication technology sectors]], the development of the national road transport such as the Mediterranean "rocade" and the rural network, integrated rural infrastructure development, and water and sanitation programmes in rural areas (PAGER), measures to deal with unhealthy habitats to get rid of slums and improve access to social facilities. Meda funds were also channelled to migration, with the aim of fostering a better management of migratory flows. Financial cooperation also concerned environmental protection and the promotion of [[Human rights in Morocco|human rights]] and fundamental freedoms.

In the period 1996–2006 Morocco received financing totalling approximately €15 million under horizontal EU budget lines, in particular Meda democracy, the environment, LIFE, the ECIP, the fight against AIDS, NGO cofinancing, and the fight against drugs, plus €10 million under the budget lines for the 5th and 6th Framework Research, Technology and Development Programmes, in which more than 160 Moroccan teams participated.

==Political cooperation==
In 2006 the [[European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy|EU commissioner for external relations]], [[Benita Ferrero-Waldner]], declared that "we [EU] already have a very, very close relationship with Morocco, and we're studying giving them even more advanced status".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15081798/site/newsweek/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007205757/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15081798/site/newsweek/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-10-07 |title=Don't look now, but a bit of Europe has come to the Maghreb. What next—full-fledged EU membership?|magazine=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref>

In 2008, Morocco was the first country in the region to be granted ''advanced status'', which makes it a pioneer in the [[European Neighbourhood Policy]].
The agreement constitutes a "roadmap" which widens the sphere of EU-Morocco bilateral relations by setting out new objectives in three main areas: closer political relations, with the holding of a periodic EU-Morocco summit and the establishment of consultation mechanisms at ministerial level; integration of the single market on the basis of gradual adoption of the Community acquis and sectoral cooperation; and a focus on the human dimension.

The first EU–Morocco summit was held March 7, 2010. It was the first of its kind between the EU and an [[Arab league|Arab]] or [[Africa]]n country.<ref>http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/main2/hm_the_king_sends_me/view{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Abbas El Fassi]], [[Herman Van Rompuy|Van Rompuy]] and [[José Manuel Barroso|Barroso]] presented to the press the results of the summit, commending the event which heralds a new era in the privileged and strategic partnership. The [[Granada]] summit between the European Union and Morocco concluded with a positive assessment of the development of their relations and with the commitment to build on their political, economic and social aspect, as well as to begin a process of reflection on their future 'contractual' form.
On bilateral partnership, the joint declaration sets concrete measures to consolidate achievements and an operational agenda for the future, as part of the advanced status which specifies the relation between Morocco and the EU. The summit also addressed the state of EU–Morocco relations and future developments, as well as other subjects of common interest such as the [[legal status of Western Sahara]], the situation in the [[Maghreb]] and the Sahel, and the [[Union for the Mediterranean]].

[[European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy]] [[Štefan Füle]] visited Morocco in January 2012. He said he was very pleased with the reform developments and the country is going in the right direction, but some improvements still need to be made and the Nation are currently working on it.

===Issues===
[[Illegal immigration]] and [[terrorism]] have already replaced issues on the agenda that were important before, such as [[trade]] (i.e. agriculture and fishing) and [[drug trafficking]]. Starting in 2000, Moroccan and EU authorities have been keen to work together more closer with [[Criminal intelligence|intelligence]] sharing and [[border control]] cooperation.

[[Human rights]] was an issue that curved Morocco–EU relationships for decades. Now, many European officials have lauded the efforts Morocco has made in the [[human rights]] field.

Another hot issue concerns territorial disputes. In July 2002, there was a skirmish between Spain and Morocco during the [[Perejil incident]]. Though tensions have eased since the coming of the [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party|Spanish Socialist party]] to power, the two Spanish exclaves of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] are still an obstacle between the two neighbouring countries. In October 2006 a diplomatic controversy was sparked between Morocco and [[Spain]] when Morocco had denied entry from Ceuta of a Spanish aid package consisting of 150 patrol vehicles to fight illegal immigration. This was later resolved by delivering the goods 50&nbsp;km off [[Tangier]]'s coast.<ref>Associated Press. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061116005659/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/04/europe/EU_GEN_Spain_Morocco.php "Spain to go ahead with aid package that turned into diplomatic incident with Morocco"]. ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''. Archived from [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/04/europe/EU_GEN_Spain_Morocco.php the original] on 16 November 2006. Accessed 29 March 2018.</ref>

The [[Western Sahara]] conflict has always been on the agenda. Morocco has long been seeking a formal European recognition of its claimed rights over the disputed territory.

On 17 May 2021, an [[2021 Morocco–Spain border incident|incident occurred between Morocco and Spain]], in which massive crossing of people took place along the beaches of the [[Morocco–Spain border|border between both countries]] in the direction of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] in [[Spain]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-18 |title=Unos 6.000 migrantes nadan desde Marruecos a Ceuta, enclave español en el norte de África |url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/05/18/ceuta-espana-marruecos-migrantes-africa-trax/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=CNN |language=es |archive-date=2021-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705144540/https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/05/18/ceuta-espana-marruecos-migrantes-africa-trax/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It originated due to a deterioration in [[Diplomatic Relations|diplomatic relations]] between the [[Cabinet of Morocco|Government of Morocco]] and the [[Government of Spain]], after the latter admitted the transfer of the main representative of the [[Sahrawi people|Saharawi]] independence movement [[Polisario Front]] to a Spanish hospital in [[La Rioja]], in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CHARTE |first=MIGUEL |date=2021-05-18 |title=Mala relación con Marruecos desencadena crisis migratoria Ceuta |url=https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20210518/tension-sahara-crisis-economica-norte-marruecos-hay-detras-crisis-migratoria-ceuta/2090781.shtml |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=RTVE.es |language=es |archive-date=2022-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530192456/https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20210518/tension-sahara-crisis-economica-norte-marruecos-hay-detras-crisis-migratoria-ceuta/2090781.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-18 |title=Marruecos: La Legión toma las calles en Ceuta tras la entrada de cinco mil marroquíes este lunes |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20210518/7462121/espana-moviliza-ejercito-ceuta-entrada-5-000-marroquies.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=La Vanguardia |language=es |archive-date=2021-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613032026/https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20210518/7462121/espana-moviliza-ejercito-ceuta-entrada-5-000-marroquies.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 June 2022, an [[2022 Melilla incident|incident]] occurred which involved deaths of 23 migrants after an illegal migration attempt towards [[Melilla]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-27 |title=Melilla migrant deaths spark anger in Spain |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61956104 |access-date=2023-02-01 |archive-date=2023-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201192300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61956104 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabat |first=Agence France-Presse in |date=2022-06-25 |title=Melilla: death toll from mass incursion on Spanish enclave rises to 23 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/25/eighteen-killed-as-throng-of-migrants-storms-spains-melilla-border-from-morocco |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626184126/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/25/eighteen-killed-as-throng-of-migrants-storms-spains-melilla-border-from-morocco |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spain absolves border agents over Melilla asylum seeker deaths |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/23/spanish-forces-absolved-over-melilla-migrant-deaths |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201192301/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/23/spanish-forces-absolved-over-melilla-migrant-deaths |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Morocco's foreign relations with EU member states==
{{Div col}}
* {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Austria–Morocco relations|Austria]]
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Belgium–Morocco relations|Belgium]]
* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Bulgaria–Morocco relations|Bulgaria]]
* {{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Croatia–Morocco relations|Croatia]]
* {{flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Cyprus–Morocco relations|Cyprus]]
* {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic–Morocco relations|Czech Republic]]
* {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Denmark–Morocco relations|Denmark]]
* {{flagicon|Estonia}} [[Estonia–Morocco relations|Estonia]]
* {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland–Morocco relations|Finland]]
* {{flagicon|France}} [[France–Morocco relations|France]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany–Morocco relations|Germany]]
* {{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece–Morocco relations|Greece]]
* {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Hungary–Morocco relations|Hungary]]
* {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Ireland–Morocco relations|Ireland]]
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy–Morocco relations|Italy]]
* {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Latvia–Morocco relations|Latvia]]
* {{flagicon|Lithuania}} [[Lithuania–Morocco relations|Lithuania]]
* {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Luxembourg–Morocco relations|Luxembourg]]
* {{flagicon|Malta}} [[Malta-Morocco relations|Malta]]
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Morocco–Netherlands relations|Netherlands]]
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Morocco–Poland relations|Poland]]
* {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Morocco–Portugal relations|Portugal]]
* {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Morocco–Romania relations|Romania]]
* {{flagicon|Slovakia}} [[Morocco–Slovakia relations|Slovakia]]
* {{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Morocco–Slovenia relations|Slovenia]]
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Morocco–Spain relations|Spain]]
* {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Morocco–Sweden relations|Sweden]]
{{Div col end}}

==See also==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
* [[Economy of Morocco]]
* [[Enlargement of the European Union]] 
* [[Foreign relations of the European Union]] 
* [[Foreign relations of Morocco]]
* [[Human rights in Morocco]]
* [[Union for the Mediterranean]]
* [[Morocco in the Eurovision Song Contest]]
* [[United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement]]

==External links==
* [http://eeas.europa.eu/morocco/ ''The EU's relations with Morocco''] – ''The European Commission website''
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3317149.stm ''Morocco-Spain railway tunnel''] (news item concerning the [[Strait of Gibraltar crossing]])

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Foreign relations of Morocco}}
{{External relations of the European Union}}
{{Portal bar|Politics|European Union|Morocco}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morocco-European Union relations}}
[[Category:Morocco–European Union relations| ]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Morocco|European Union]]
[[Category:Third-country relations of the European Union]]