Gathered at a summit in Brussels on October 17 within the framework of the Council of Europe, the heads of state and government of the 27 EU member states reaffirmed the "great value" the EU places on its strategic partnership with Morocco. The European Council also reiterated the need to preserve and continue strengthening close relations with the Kingdom in all areas of the Morocco-EU partnership. This is the third time, since the ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU two weeks ago, that the EU has reaffirmed this commitment at the highest level. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Josep Borrell had previously reaffirmed, in a joint statement, the bloc's commitment to further preserve and strengthen close relations with Morocco in all areas, in accordance with the principle of "pacta sunt servanda." This commitment was reiterated this week by the EU's chief diplomat, who chaired the EU Foreign Affairs Council, emphasizing the "immense value" the EU places on the strategic partnership with Morocco. All these official affirmations and reaffirmations show that the EU Court of Justice's decision is, and will remain, without effect on the EU's relations with Morocco. It has merely been another storm in a teacup. Moreover, it has provided Europeans the opportunity to reaffirm their desire to move forward with the Kingdom and give new momentum to cooperation in various fields. A few days ago, the head of EU diplomacy had reiterated that the 27 "wish to deepen the partnership between Morocco and the EU, which is a long-standing, enduring, very dense, and deep partnership." This intent was just reconfirmed by the Council of Europe.
