European Court Decision ‘Does Not Question’ Moroccan-Spanish Cooperation (Spanish Govt.)

The Spanish government said that the decision of the European Court on the farm & fisheries agreements with Morocco “does not question” relations of cooperation between the Kingdom, Spain and the EU.

“For me and the Spanish government, this decision does not question our relations with our strategic partner, Morocco, nor the friendship and cooperation that bind the two countries,” said Friday Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, following a meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

“We have always defended the advanced status of Morocco within the EU and we will continue to do so because Morocco is a strategic partner for us,” the Spanish minister added.

“The government will protect the legitimate interests of farmers and breeders because Morocco is a strategic partner for Spain and the EU,” he stressed.

The Moroccan fishing zone is strategic for the Spanish fleet, he noted, recalling that of the 132 vessels that fish in these waters, 93 are Spanish, belonging to the Andalusian, Galician and Canary fleets.