The European Parliament approved an amendment to the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement, making Croatia a full party to the liberalised framework already linking Morocco with other EU member states.
Notably, the protocol, backed by 625 members of the European Parliament, adapts the aviation agreement to Croatia’s EU accession and could strengthen travel and trade links between the two countries.
Croatia joins common aviation framework
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 aviation agreement with Morocco.
The two countries therefore continued to rely on bilateral arrangements signed in 1999.
The EU and Morocco had signed the original Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement in Brussels on December 12, 2006.
It opened their aviation markets and introduced common standards on competition, 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.
Morocco strengthens European connections
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 aviation gateway between Africa and Europe.
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 viability before entering the market.
European investment gathers pace
Meanwhile, the aviation development comes as European companies secure major contracts 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 aviation, rail transport and energy.
