Spain to Appeal EU Court Ruling on Morocco Fishing Agreements

The European court last Wednesday annulled two agreements between the EU and Morocco because they included Western Sahara, a territory claimed by Morocco and the Polisario Front and which has been the subject of a decades-long conflict. Spain is affected by this decision and intends to appeal the two decisions to the Court of Justice of the EU, reports El Confidencial. "Morocco is a very important fishing area for the Galician, Andalusian and Canarian fleets. Be reassured. The government will defend the interests of all our fishermen," said Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in an interview with La Voz de Galicia.

To read: EU Court Ruling Threatens Spanish Fishing Access in Moroccan Waters

According to Spanish diplomatic sources, Spain’s approach is primarily aimed at getting closer to Morocco and accelerating the resumption of diplomatic relations after several months of crisis. To achieve its objective, Spanish diplomacy can ask the Council of Ministers of the EU to take the initiative of the appeal, or the prosecutor to file an appeal. In the first case, Spain might not get a majority in the Council of Ministers in favor of the initiative, as countries like Germany, Finland, Denmark and Ireland have only expressed their consent to adhere to these agreements in 2019. In case of failure, Spain would not be ready to engage alone in this battle, assure the same sources.

The GCEU decision must take effect within two months, but in case of an appeal, its execution will be suspended until a new judgment is handed down, which can take a year. Meanwhile, the 128 fishing vessels of the European fleet, including 90 Spanish ones, will be able to continue fishing in the waters of Morocco and Western Sahara.