The ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), issued on October 4, was a central topic during the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers held on Monday, October 14, in Luxembourg. In a press statement, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, emphasized the «immense value that the EU attaches to its strategic partnership with Morocco». He stated that the 27 EU member states aim to further deepen this long-standing, comprehensive, and substantial partnership with the Kingdom. Borrell also stressed the EU's intention to continue and strengthen its multifaceted cooperation with Morocco in the coming months. He noted that the foreign ministers had acknowledged the CJEU ruling, which excluded Western Sahara from the fisheries and agricultural agreements concluded with Morocco. The Spanish diplomat recalled a joint statement issued by him and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which was released shortly after the CJEU ruling. The statement reaffirmed «the great value that the EU places on its strategic partnership with Morocco». Borrell's statement came shortly after Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned EU ambassadors, demanding explanations regarding the support expressed by most EU countries for Morocco following the CJEU ruling.
