Euro-Moroccan Geo-Historical Relations, Political and Economic Goals and Interests (Morocco as a Model)

Year 2023, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 80 - 96, 15.06.2023

Fatma Ali Elbatanony

Abstract

In this research study, we will discuss the European-Moroccan relations, and how it is not a new relationship, but rather an old one by virtue of the geographical proximity of the two worlds. The European continent was not known at that time except through the Arab world. With the emergence of the Cape of Good Hope and the emergence of some cities, competing participation in European relations began and attention began to turn to the countries of North Africa, as the promised treasure to change the balance of power.
We also review the state of European colonialism that surrounded the shores of the Mediterranean, taking advantage of the weakness of the Ottoman Empire, and how the European economy penetrated and was able to change the distinguished character of Moroccan rural life at that time and eliminate some of the thriving traditional craft industries in favor of the colonizer and start rebuilding its economy, and even establishing the institutions of the European Community.
We also present the relations between them, which began to fluctuate between cooperation at times, and conflict at other times, except that the European-Moroccan Economic Community was established after the end of World War II, which was based on two goals, one political and the other economic.
We will also refer to the stages of partnership between them, which went through several stages, until it reached countless differences, especially when Western Europe referred to the Polisario desert.
Finally, we present Morocco's response by threatening to establish a partnership between Morocco, Russia and China, especially with the change in the concept of power, which the European Union has now become, after the war on Ukraine, is in a difficult position and collapse.

Keywords

Morocco, European Union, Russia, China

References

• Ben Abdallah Karima, "The position of the European Union on the Western Sahara Conflict", Journal of contemporary European Studies, Vol.17, No.3,Decembr 2009 p. 66.
• Andreas Marchetti, "The European Neighborhood Policy: Foreign Policy at Eu's Periphery", Zei Discussion Paper; C 158 (2006), P. 16.