Ineffectual Commission and Catalan regional government funding for Morocco

Question for written answer E-002622/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nora Junco García (NI), Diego Solier (NI)

The Catalan regional government and the Commission have signed agreements with Morocco totalling EUR 3 million. The aim of these agreements is to promote gender equality through initiatives led by organisations linked to the Moroccan authorities. It is more than arguable that these funds lack EU oversight and raise questions about their alignment with democratic principles, given Morocco's questionable human-rights record. This situation raises concerns about whether such investments genuinely improve equality or risk reinforcing non-transparent practices in recipient nations.

Furthermore, these agreements come amid broader financial collaborations between Spain and Morocco, often justified as a means of strengthening bilateral ties and fostering regional stability. However, there is increased scepticism about the tangible impact of these funds, especially considering the recurring governance and human-rights issues in Morocco.

In view of the above:

• 1.How does the Commission ensure oversight and accountability for funds allocated to non-EU governments, particularly those with concerning human-rights records?
• 2.What measures are in place to verify that EU funds used for bilateral cooperation align with the EU values of democracy and transparency?
• 3.Can the Commission explain why resources are directed to such initiatives in non-EU regions while urgent socio-economic issues persist within the EU?

Submitted: 21.11.2024