Morocco-EU: Exchange of letters amending agricultural agreement signed in Brussels

The signing of the amended Morocco-European Union (EU) agricultural agreement marks “a major step forward” in the construction of a solid strategic partnership between Rabat and Brussels.

Amended Morocco-European Union (EU) agricultural agreement

Under this agreement, agricultural products from the southern provinces benefit from the same conditions of preferential access to the European market as those from the rest of the Kingdom, in accordance with the Morocco-EU Association Agreement Morocco and the European Union signed on Friday, at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, the exchange of letters amending the agricultural agreement between the two parties, thus confirming the solidity of their partnership based on expanded multidimensional cooperation.

The agreement, signed on the Moroccan side by the ambassador to the EU, Ahmed Réda Chami, comes into immediate provisional application, pending the finalization of the internal procedures of the two parties.

Under this agreement, the terms of which were negotiated in a spirit of partnership and compromise, agricultural products from the southern provinces benefit from the same conditions preferential access to the European market than those of the rest of Morocco, in accordance with the Morocco-EU Association Agreement. The agreement introduces technical adjustments aimed at facilitating access to products and improving them, particularly in terms of consumer information through labelling mentioning the production regions in southern Morocco: “Laayoune-Sakiat el Hamra” and “Dakhla-Oued Eddahab”. Concluded in the same spirit as the exchange of letters signed in 2018 between the two parties, the text strengthens a strong trade relationship and consolidates a solid and dense partnership, Morocco being the EU’s main economic partner in Africa and the Arab world.

The conclusion of this agreement reflects the common desire of Morocco and the EU to deepen a long-standing partnership, knowing that its implementation can contribute significantly to the national agricultural gross domestic product, while supporting employment and investment, especially in the southern provinces of Morocco.

The signing of this agreement paves the way for a more ambitious and structured cooperation with Brussels, strengthening existing political mechanisms and laying the foundations for an even deeper strategic partnership.

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