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.
Ahead of the European Union leaders' two-day summit in Brussels, focusing on Ukraine, defence, and the economy, security is tight outside the EU headquarters.
EU Council has adopted its position on a regulation that will impose tariffs on remaining agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as certain nitrogen-based fertilizers. These tariffs aim to reduce Russian export revenues, limiting Russia's ability to finance its war against Ukraine.
The European Union will convene its 9th international Conference in support of Syria on 17 March, in Brussels. For the first time, Syrian interim authorities have been invited, together with representatives of the United Nations, Syria's neighbouring states and other regional partners.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
The eighth summit between the leaders of the EU and South Africa will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13th March.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to discussions on a potential temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming the presence of a legitimate government and clarifying the UN’s role in mediation efforts.
Suicide bomber targets a political protest rally in Balochistan, Pakistan. No civilian casualties reported; the attacker was killed.
The Norwegian Government has decided to provide a total of NOK 3 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine and to the refugee response in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries in 2025.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
A devastating overnight drone attack on Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a five-year-old child, and left ten others injured.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to discussions on a potential temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming the presence of a legitimate government and clarifying the UN’s role in mediation efforts.
Suicide bomber targets a political protest rally in Balochistan, Pakistan. No civilian casualties reported; the attacker was killed.
The Norwegian Government has decided to provide a total of NOK 3 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine and to the refugee response in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries in 2025.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,644 people and leaving 2,300 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to discussions on a potential temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming the presence of a legitimate government and clarifying the UN’s role in mediation efforts.
Suicide bomber targets a political protest rally in Balochistan, Pakistan. No civilian casualties reported; the attacker was killed.
The Norwegian Government has decided to provide a total of NOK 3 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine and to the refugee response in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries in 2025.
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