Rethinking Friendship

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Moroccan lawmakers voted unanimously to review the country’s relationship with the European Parliament this week after the latter passed a resolution urging the North African nation to respect press freedoms, Agence France-Presse reported.

Both Moroccan houses of parliament agreed to “reconsider (their) relations with the European Parliament and submit them for an overall evaluation.” The review could impact a 1996 agreement between Morocco and the European Union, which links the two with tight economic and commercial relations.

Last week, European lawmakers voted on a non-binding resolution asking Morocco to “respect freedom of expression and media freedom,” and to “guarantee imprisoned journalists … a fair trial.”

The resolution arose over the arrest of two prominent Moroccan journalists, who were both sentenced last year on sexual abuse charges.

Moroccan lawmakers and the government criticized the resolution as an attack on the country’s sovereignty, adding that it had “seriously harmed the fundamental trust” between Morocco and the EU.

Some lawmakers also blamed Morocco’s former colonial power, France, for pushing the measure. They made reference to warming ties between France and Algeria, Morocco’s neighbor and rival – and a major exporter of gas to Europe.

The recent developments come as tensions between Morocco and the bloc have risen in recent weeks following a corruption scandal involving European lawmakers taking bribes from Qatar as well as Morocco.

Both countries have denied the accusations.