The EU seeks to grow closer to Morocco

The EU has allegedly begun talks with The Kingdom, particularly focusing on migration reforms, in pursuit of strengthening “collaboration with Morocco,” as reported by government-leaning outlet Hespress on July 19th.

The news source claims the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Sucia, confirmed the ongoing negotiations of a deal where Morocco would commit to resolving irregular migration issues, alongside reforming the system that handles returning migrants, in exchange for financial assistance via the EU’s Global Europe program.

This comes after the EU’s official statistics revealed around 7,450 Moroccans were served with departure orders out of territories in the Europe between January and March 2025, topping the list alongside Algeria, as reported by Maghrebi.

The deal apparently follows a similar structure to the EU’s memorandums of understating with Tunisia and Egypt, allegedly as part of a broader regional strategy in which Brussels intends to increase aid to North African countries.

These supposed negotiations come at a time in which Morocco faces economic uncertainties, with their agricultural industry taking a hit from the ongoing drought and the trade deficit predicted to grow up to 20% of GDP by 2026, the proposed EU deal could help alleviate some of these pressures.

Although not independently verified, Sucia reportedly said: “We’re deepening our partnerships across the Mediterranean,” and “Now looking to expand our collaboration with Morocco and start talks with Lebanon as well.”

There is accordingly no set timeline for when the deal should be done, however the EU apparently has concrete intentions of progress in negotiations. Moroccan authorities are reportedly yet to have officially responded to the prospect.

Hespress, Maghrebi.org