Morocco and the European Union on Friday signed in Brussels an exchange of letters amending their agricultural agreement, reaffirming the strength of their multidimensional partnership and the recognition of the Southern Provinces as an integral part of bilateral trade relations.
Signed on behalf of Morocco by its ambassador to the EU, Ahmed Réda Chami, the preferential deal covering agricultural produce from southern Morocco takes immediate provisional effect, pending the completion of internal ratification procedures on both sides.
The deal ensures that agricultural goods from Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab enjoy the same preferential access conditions to the European market as those from the rest of the kingdom.
The amendment introduces technical adjustments designed to streamline trade, notably through enhanced labeling specifying the regional origin of products. The move aims both to improve transparency for European consumers and promote agricultural production from Morocco’s Western Sahara region.
This new agreement builds on the 2018 framework and marks another milestone in strengthening EU–Morocco relations. Rabat remains the EU’s leading economic partner in Africa and the Arab world. Its implementation is expected to boost national agricultural GDP, attract investment and create jobs in the southern provinces, while laying the groundwork for an even deeper strategic partnership.
For both Brussels and Rabat, this diplomatic and trade step underscores a “strong and comprehensive” cooperation, at a time when the European Union is seeking to deepen its engagement in the Mediterranean and African regions.
MK/sf/lb/as/APA