The European Union has pledged €200 million to assist Morocco with post-earthquake reconstruction, bringing total aid to €1 billion. Despite this support, relations between Morocco and the EU are strained due to a legal dispute over Western Sahara and trade agreements.
The European Union has pledged €200 million ($210 million) to assist Morocco in rebuilding after the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on September 8, 2023. The announcement was made by EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, during a press conference in Rabat on Monday.
The earthquake, Morocco's deadliest since 1960, killed over 2,900 people and caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. In response, Morocco has outlined a five-year reconstruction plan aimed at upgrading key infrastructure across the country.
Varhelyi also revealed that the EU's total aid for Morocco's earthquake recovery will reach €1 billion. This follows a history of strong economic ties, with Morocco receiving €5.2 billion in EU investments over the past five years.
Despite the financial support, relations between Morocco and the EU face challenges due to recent legal disputes. The European Court of Justice annulled fishing and agricultural agreements between the two parties, citing issues related to products from the disputed Western Sahara region.
The long-standing conflict over Western Sahara, which began in 1975, pits Morocco against the Polisario Front, an independence movement backed by Algeria. Morocco views Western Sahara as part of its territory, while the Polisario Front seeks an independent state.
In light of the court ruling, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasized the importance of protecting Morocco's territorial integrity, stating that "there will be no partnerships at the expense of Morocco's territorial integrity." He also underscored the need for EU-Morocco relations to be shielded from "judicial harassment."
Despite these tensions, Morocco has strengthened its ties with Spain and France, both of which have backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
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