Over 100 Spanish fishing vessels are on their way back to port following the decision by the EU not to renew the fishing agreement with Morocco. The Spanish authorities requested the boats to leave Moroccan waters by midnight on Wednesday in order to avoid any possible conflict.
The Moroccan authorities warned all European fishing vessels to leave their territorial waters by Thursday in response to the decision by the European Parliament. Morocco has described the decision by the EU as ‘regretable’ and one that will have ‘serious consequences’ for cooperation between Morocco and the 27 European member states.
There are suggestions that Morocco is likely to globally reconsider its partnership with the EU with an impact on trade, mobility and other major issues.