Brusssels 04.10.2024 Today the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the European Commission had breached the universal rights of people to self-determination while concluding trade deals with Morocco, when omitting the rights of people of Western Sahara.
Western Sahara, a strip of desert, which has been the scene of Africa’s longest-running territorial dispute since colonial power Spain left in 1975 and Morocco annexed this territory.
Today’s decision is the final ruling after several appeals by the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body. The EU signed fishing and agriculture agreements with Morocco in 2019 that also covered products from the Western Sahara.

“The EU reiterates the high value it attaches to its strategic Partnership with Morocco, which is long-standing, wide-ranging and deep. Over the years, we have established a profound friendship and a solid and multi-faceted cooperation, which we intend to take to the next level in the coming weeks and months” reads the Joint Statement by President von der Leyen and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on the European Court of Justice judgements relating to Morocco.

“The EU takes note of the Court of Justice of the European Union’s judgments C-778/21 P, C-798/21 P, C-779/21 P, C-799/21 on the appeals against the judgment of the General Court of 29 September 2021 as well as the reply to the preliminary ruling request in case C-399/22 on the labelling of fruit and vegetables from the territory of the Western Sahara. The European Commission is currently analysing the judgments in detail. In this context, we take note that that the European Court of Justice preserves the validity of the agreement on agricultural products for an additional 12 months.

“In close cooperation with Morocco, the EU firmly intends to preserve and continue strengthening close relations with Morrocco in all areas of the Morocco-EU Partnership, in line with the principle of pacta sunt servanda.”