As decisive discussions with the European Union on agricultural and fishing agreements approach, and drawing lessons from the hard-won victory on November 26 in the European Parliament, Morocco is strengthening its influence strategy in Brussels. DR ‹ › In Brussels, Rabat is stepping up its communication strategy by turning to consultants who have previously worked for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, according to Africa Intelligence. For several years, Morocco has been seeking a lobbyist capable of effectively defending its interests within European institutions, particularly in the agri-food sector. According to the European transparency register, the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) signed a contract on January 22 with the Swiss consulting firm Boldt BPI. Within the firm, the Moroccan file is being handled by John Duhig, a seasoned communications expert who has worked with both the Obama and Biden administrations. Morocco had already adopted a similar approach in Washington. In May 2020, Rabat entrusted the defense of its interests in the United States to Park Group, a firm known for its close ties to the Democratic Party. Park Group was founded by former advisers to Democratic lawmakers, including Michael Feldman, who served as a consultant to Al Gore during the 2000 presidential campaign. Preparing the ground for agricultural and fisheries agreements The partnership with Boldt BPI aims to «promote and develop closer economic cooperation, in line with the mutual interests of Morocco and its foreign partners», with a focus on trade, financial and industrial cooperation, and investment. Particular attention is being paid to the European Union's southern neighborhood policy and the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between Morocco and the EU. Africa Intelligence notes that Morocco has previously worked with lobbying firms such as SEC Newgate EU (Italy) and Rud Pedersen (Scandinavia). In March 2025, Rud Pedersen became the target of a harassment campaign led by MEPs close to the Polisario, shortly after a February 16 visit to the Tindouf camps by Nikolas Nyrop, president of the Danish NGO Global Aktion. That NGO had falsely accused Morocco of setting fire to its headquarters in Copenhagen. By recruiting Boldt BPI, Rabat hopes to «secure new backing within the European Parliament», at a time when Morocco and the European Commission are reviewing two strategic protocols: one on agricultural trade and another on fisheries. These issues were discussed during the January 22 meeting in Brussels of the permanent representatives of the EU's 27 member states (Coreper), which followed a January 15 meeting in Rabat of the Morocco–EU Association Committee. That meeting focused on «partnership and a calm political dialogue on bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest», according to a statement from Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on social media. A new session of the Association Committee is scheduled for January 29 in Brussels. It is worth recalling that the European Parliament narrowly rejected a provisional agricultural agreement signed on October 3 between Morocco and the European Union, which included products originating from Western Sahara.
