Morocco’s push to become one of Africa’s leading aormally incorporated into the European Union’s open skies agreement with the North African country
- Morocco is attracting global investment through its expanding automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, and manufacturing sectors.
- The European Parliament approved Croatia’s inclusion in the EU–Morocco Open Skies Agreement, offering Moroccan and European airlines non-discriminatory access to routes.
- The protocol enhances Morocco’s aviation connectivity and simplifies regulatory frameworks, potentially boosting new routes but not mandating them.
- The move aligns with Morocco’s increased transport and tourism investments ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
The European Parliament approved an amendment to the Euro-Mediterranean Aed framework already linking Morocco with other EU member states
Notably, the protocol, backed by 625 members of the European Parliament, adapts the an travel and trade links between the two countries
DON’T MISS:Europe turns to Africa to strengthen its power grid as Portugal and Morocco revive electricity link
Under the protocol, eligible EU and Moroccan airlines will gain non-discriminatory access to routes between Croatia and Morocco under the same liberalised framework applied to other member states.
The arrangement could support new services between Croatian and Moroccan airports, although no airline has announced a direct route.
The change was necessary because Croatia, despite joining the European Union in 2013, had not been formally incorporated into the bloc’s a
The two countries therefore continued to rely on bilateral arrangements signed in 1999.
The EU and Morocco had signed the original Euro-Mediterranean A
It opened their a safety, security and consumer protection
To close the gap, Morocco and the EU signed a protocol adding Croatia to the agreement on November 21, 2025. The European Parliament approved the measure in July 2026.
DON’T MISS:Africa’s most industrialised nation plans to build more hotels and spend $20 billion in preparation for the 2030 World Cup
The move aligns with Morocco’s increased transport and tourism investments ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.Pulse Nigeria
ADVERTISEMENT
Crucially, Croatia’s inclusion removes the need for the two countries to depend on their previous bilateral arrangements.
It could also widen Morocco’s access to European travel markets and reinforce its position as an a
The clearer regulatory framework may help airlines assess new routes, partnerships and seasonal services.
Carriers will, however, continue to consider passenger demand, airport capacity and commercial
DON’T MISS:ECOWAS approves historic Nigeria-Morocco $25 billion energy gas pipeline to power Europe and West Africa
Meanwhile, the antracts under Morocco’s infrastructure expansion programme
French train manufacturer Alstom has signed a French Treasury-backed €781 million contract to supply 18 high-speed trains for the extension of Morocco’s rail network towards Marrakech.
Spanish manufacturer CAF has secured a nearly €600 million contract to supply 30 intercity trains, with an option for 10 more, under a financing arrangement backed by Spain’s Business Internationalisation Fund.
The contracts are part of Morocco’s 96-billion-dirham rail programme, launched in 2025 and centred on projects such as a 430-kilometre high-speed line connecting Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech.
The expansion is expected to improve access to major cities and Mohammed V International Airport before the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco and Portugal also agreed in July 2026 to pursue European Union funding and private investment for a proposed electricity inter connector.
Overall, the projects show how Morocco’s World Cup preparations are attracting European capital, technology and industrial expertise across a
