The Andalusian government supports ships affected by the end of the “Fishing Protocol” with Morocco

Ramon Fernandez Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in the local government of Andalusia and its official spokesman, announced during a parliamentary session that the Andalusian Council is considering providing aid worth 6 thousand euros to fishing vessels and boats that are active in the Gulf of Cádiz and affected by the end of the marine fishing protocol with… Morocco, provided that the conditions set by the Andalusian administration for granting this aid are met.

The same official explained, according to statements reported by Spanish media, that “his ministry’s concern is to continue responding to the problems and aspirations of the fishing sector in Andalusia,” noting at the same time that “it is the European Union that must promote an agreement dedicated to the Andalusian fleet that was fishing in northern Kingdom of Morocco to overcome the obstacles facing it,” expressing his hope that the government in Madrid will defend itself before the European Union.

Since the end of the marine fishing protocol between Morocco and the European Union, on the 17th of last July, without renewal pending the issuance of the decision of the European Court of Justice, this protocol under which the Kingdom used to allow European fishing vessels, most of them Spanish, to fish on its coasts; The voices of the professional organizations that suffered heavy losses as a result became louder, urging a formula to renew this agreement, the expiration of which imposed restrictions on the activities of the Spanish fishing fleet.

For its part, the Spanish government confirmed, last month, in an answer to a parliamentary question on this subject, that it was waiting to know the content of the European judiciary’s ruling in this regard, stressing at the same time the importance of continuing progress in the technical work necessary to renew this protocol, given the importance of the Spanish fleet. Pointing out that it worked to provide assistance to ships affected by the temporary suspension of fishing activity in Moroccan waters.

Spanish pressure and language of interests

In this context, Jawad Al-Qasmi, a researcher in international law and international relations, said, “The Spanish fleet remains the largest beneficiary of the fishing agreement with Morocco. Considering the size of the workforce working in the field compared to the rest of the other countries of the Union, as well as considering the size of the Spanish ship fleet working in the field. Naturally, stopping the implementation of this agreement will cause great harm to Spanish fishing professionals, who will not be satisfied with the assistance provided in this regard, compared to the amount of benefit they were getting under the fishing agreement with Morocco.”

Al-Qasmi added, in a statement to the electronic newspaper Hespress, that “delaying the renewal of the agreement may be accompanied by a protest by marine fishing professionals against the Spanish government, and there is no doubt that this situation will put pressure on any government experiencing the same situation, not just Spain.” It is natural to see intense Spanish action to push for the renewal of the agreement, with support from countries within the European Union, such as France, in the face of a breakthrough in relations between these countries and Morocco, pressure and exploitation of its influence, and the primacy of the language of economic interests over any other language, especially since the EU countries know Morocco’s sensitivity to the issue of the regions. South.

The same spokesman stated that “the failure to renew the agreement between the two parties or the issuance of a judicial ruling by the European Court of Justice that contradicts the Moroccan will may have clear consequences for the partnership between the European Union and Morocco, and the pace of partnership and cooperation at the economic level may be affected by the status of the Moroccan Western Sahara issue in Moroccan foreign policy.” ; However, this will not amount to a rupture, given the depth and strength of the relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union.”

Moroccan determinants and mutual cooperation

For his part, Al-Buraq Shadi Abdel Salam, an international expert in crisis management, conflict analysis and risk management, stated that “any action taken by the Spanish central government or local governments as a result of pressure from professional organizations cannot be linked to the solidity of the Moroccan position based on a clear participatory approach with its regional environment and in a way Special Spanish partner; Because the internal situation in the European sphere, especially in Spain, is governed by inherited socio-economic mechanisms that have nothing to do with the Kingdom of Morocco’s sustained position in protecting its interests and its continuing desire to protect its historical rights.”

He explained, “Morocco has developed a clear approach to this issue so that it does not turn into a regional geopolitical game tossed around by interests and political variables, as it has set three basic specifications regarding agreeing on a marine fishing protocol with its partners in the European Union; The first is related to comprehensiveness, as it stipulates the necessity of changing the European perspective on the concept of partnership, as the agreement is not related to exploiting fish wealth in exchange for sums of money, but rather Morocco has a vision related to formulating a comprehensive concept for the Moroccan-European partnership in which European countries take into account the highest interests of Morocco and through which Rabat achieves gains that are compatible with regional challenges. proposed and maintains the full sovereignty of its national territory.”

The second determinant, according to what was stated to Hespress, is “the principle of sustainability, as this protocol must be about surplus fish wealth and not at the expense of the Kingdom’s self-sufficiency,” in addition to another determinant related to “the scientific and academic position, as the agreement must include An accurate and precise scientific dimension in order to protect fish wealth and not expose it to depletion or existential threat, as well as to protect the inalienable rights of future generations to their marine wealth.”

The same international expert concluded that “the position of the Kingdom of Morocco regarding any future agreement with the European side has clear and solid legal principles that guarantee the openness of partnerships that respect Morocco’s sovereignty, achieve mutual cooperation, and respect the national maritime economy.”