After allegations of his country’s involvement in the EU corruption scandal, Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has criticized “judicial harassment” and “media attacks”. These are aimed at weakening ties between Morocco and the European Union, he said today at a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
Bourita did not explicitly mention the corruption scandal. He also left open whether his country is involved. Borrell said the EU wanted to wait for a judicial investigation to get an overview of everyone involved. “We are following this issue with great concern.”
The Belgian judiciary is investigating suspected corruption, money laundering and influence from abroad in the vicinity of the EU Parliament. It is said that the Gulf Emirate of Qatar is said to have tried to influence political decisions with gifts of money and goods.
According to media reports, Morocco is also said to be involved. The Moroccan foreign intelligence service DGED had already tried in 2019 to influence members of the Social Democratic Group in the EU Parliament.
