The recent European positions on the Sahara and the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2797 in October 2025 have reignited the debate on the evolution of relations between Morocco and the European Union. With growing international support for its autonomy plan, Rabat emerges as a central actor in the region, while Brussels aims to consolidate a more balanced partnership.
To decipher these developments, Doha Lkasmi, Director General of NSI Maroc, provides her insight. As a recognized specialist in Moroccan foreign policy and the Sahara issue, Lkasmi, a doctor and researcher affiliated with the Center for International Studies (CERI) at Sciences Po Paris, has experience at Yale University, the University of Oxford, and Moroccan diplomatic representations in Europe. Drawing on her expertise at the crossroads of geopolitics and strategic influence, she discusses the current state of the Morocco-EU partnership and the prospects for the years ahead.
The recent positions of the European Union on the Sahara issue have sparked numerous reactions. What political and diplomatic interpretation should be made of this today? Doha Lkasmi: It should be recalled that the relationship between Morocco and the European Union recently went through a period of tension and misunderstanding. This was mainly related to decisions by the European Court of Justice regarding commercial agreements involving the Sahara, as well as certain criticisms expressed by the European Commission towards Morocco. These elements contributed to straining relations between Rabat and Brussels. However, given the rich and diverse ties between Morocco and the EU – be they historical, economic, security-related, or cultural – neither Rabat nor Brussels were inclined to let these tensions persist. Efforts were made on both sides to restore a climate of trust.
How have these diplomatic efforts translated into tangible outcomes on both sides? From the Moroccan side, diplomacy, under the King’s leadership, has been more proactive and offensive, engaging in explanations and educational efforts with European institutions and member states to emphasize the Kingdom’s vital interests. This dynamic allowed the EU to reassess Morocco’s central role in its southern neighborhood. On the European side, a more open attitude has been observed, characterized by a willingness to better understand Morocco and to integrate what the Kingdom considers its essential national interests. Through these reciprocal diplomatic efforts, both parties have managed to overcome the period of tension and reposition their partnership in a calmer perspective based on shared interests.
Do these positions reflect an evolution in the European stance towards Morocco and the Sahara issue? Today, Morocco and the EU have clearly expressed their willingness to move forward on the Sahara issue. During the latest Association Council meeting held in Brussels on January 29, 2026, the EU welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2797 in October 2025. In this context, the EU now sees Morocco’s autonomy plan proposed in 2007 as a serious basis for achieving a political solution to this dispute. This plan is perceived as a fair, credible option capable of garnering consensus. The EU also commended Morocco’s efforts to clarify the details of this initiative and how autonomy for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty would be implemented.
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CONTEXT: This article discusses the evolving relations between Morocco and the European Union in the context of recent developments related to the Sahara issue. It highlights the diplomatic efforts from both sides to overcome tensions and forge a stronger and more balanced partnership.
FACT CHECK: The article discusses expert insights and recent EU positions on the Sahara issue, emphasizing the shift towards considering Morocco’s autonomy plan as a basis for a political solution. The content reflects a neutral and accurate representation of these developments.
