EU backs Morocco autonomy plan for Western Sahara and eyes new partnership

The European Union has reaffirmed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara and is pushing for a new strategic partnership with Rabat to be finalised by the end of the year.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is on a two-day visit to Rabat for talks both sides described as a moment of consolidation in EU-Morocco relations.

After meeting Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Thursday, Kallas described Morocco as a “close, reliable, and strategic partner”.

She also repeated the EU's backing for Morocco's proposal to give Western Sahara limited self-rule, while Rabat keeps control over defence, foreign affairs and religion.

The EU aligned itself with the Moroccan autonomy plan in late January after lobbying by Emmanuel Macron and, to a lesser extent, Pedro Sánchez, according to Africa Intelligence. The support followed a similar move by the UN Security Council last October.

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Autonomy plan backed

Kallas said the plan offers “a realistic and workable” way to resolve the long-running conflict.

“Recent developments, including talks facilitated by the United States in coordination with the United Nations, are encouraging,” she said.

Bourita welcomed the EU's position, calling it “a particularly significant position and a strong signal” ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on 23-24 April, where the UN mission for Western Sahara, MINURSO, is due to be discussed.

He said Morocco's proposal is “the only serious and credible basis” for a lasting settlement.

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New partnership push

Kallas also called for the “timely finalisation” of a broad partnership between the EU and Morocco, covering trade, investment and migration. “I am confident that we will launch this partnership this year,” she said.

Morocco is the EU's largest trading partner in North Africa and its largest foreign investor, Kallas said. Rabat is also a major energy supplier to Spain and a key partner on migration.

The EU and Morocco are close to finalising plans for a €15-20 billion rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar.

Talks also covered wider global issues, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and instability in the Sahel.

Both sides said they remain committed to multilateralism and a rules-based international order.

Kallas and Bourita agreed to set up a security dialogue at the EU-Mediterranean Regional Security Forum later this year, focusing on counter-terrorism, maritime security and resilience against hybrid threats.