Marocgate, or Moroccogate, is a corruption scandal involving the European Parliament that broke out in December 2022. Morocco is accused of having sought to influence European Parliament decisions for several years, particularly regarding Rabat’s claim of sovereignty over Western Sahara. This alleged influence was exerted through financial donations, gifts, and sponsored trips to Morocco.
When Marocgate and Qatargate Became Intertwined
Several Moroccan diplomats and European parliamentarians have been implicated in these corruption allegations. Belgian intelligence services were investigating claims of corruption initially focused on Morocco, which later expanded to include Qatar in what became known as Qatargate. The mastermind behind it is the Italian politician Antonio Panzeri.
At the end of December 2022, the press revealed that an investigative document pointed to the high-level involvement of the General Directorate for Studies and Documentation (DGED)—Morocco’s intelligence agency—in the affair. According to a report cited by Der Spiegel, the DGED had been in contact since 2019 with former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, his assistant Francesco Giorgi, and another Italian MEP, Andrea Cozzolino. The goal was to influence the Socialist Group in the European Parliament. The German investigative magazine asserted that the three Italians were also in direct contact with the DGED’s director-general.
At the time, Antonio Panzeri was the newly appointed President of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries. He co-chaired the EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee with Abderrahim Atmoun, Morocco’s ambassador to Poland. Morocco saw the Italian politician as a valuable ally who could help “counteract the growing activism of its opponents within the EU”, as stated in a note dated December 14, 2012, from Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, titled “Morocco-EP/Action Plan Towards the European Parliament – 2013”.
Western Sahara at the Heart of Marocgate
This note presented Panzeri as the key figure capable of defending Morocco’s so-called “principle of sovereignty” over occupied Western Sahara. At the time, Charles Tannock, a British conservative, was preparing a report detailing Morocco’s human rights violations in the region. The document described Panzeri as a “major ally” and a “close friend” of Morocco.
To dispel suspicions of his pro-Moroccan stance, Panzeri organized a visit to Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf. According to a note dated October 27, 2011, by Moroccan diplomat Menouar Alem, this visit was deemed “essential to strengthen Panzeri’s credibility with Algeria and the Polisario Front”, after the latter had accused him of being pro-Moroccan. The note emphasized that “it is not in Morocco’s interest for Panzeri to be perceived as such.”
Full text of the two notes:
HIS MAJESTY THE KING’S AMBASSADOR
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COOPERATION
Primary Recipient: CAB/1 — DG/7-DG/7/5
CC Recipient: CAB/2 — SG/4-DG/8/1
Transmission: Confidential
Subject: Morocco-EU / Action Plan Regarding the European Parliament – 2013
Reference: M/L: 337 of 14-12-2012
Following up on my correspondence referenced above, I have the honor to submit for the Minister’s approval the action plan developed by this Mission, aimed at promoting Morocco’s interests within the European Parliament in 2013.
This program consists of a series of information, promotion, and lobbying activities targeting various spheres of this significant European institution, whose role and competences have been strengthened since December 2009 under the Lisbon Treaty. The objective is to counter the growing activism of our opponents within the European Parliament.
In this regard, and given the importance of the Morocco-EU partnership agenda for the year 2013, this Mission proposes initiatives to support upcoming Morocco-European Union milestones through the organization of activities, meetings, and seminars on Morocco’s political and economic aspects.
The action plan is structured as follows:
1- Seminar on Advanced Regionalization in Morocco
Moroccan speakers (government officials, parliamentarians, civil society representatives) will be invited to lead discussions on this topic. The goal is to build on the recently developed framework project regarding the regional development model for the southern provinces, elaborated by the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council.
The President of the Maghreb Delegation in the European Parliament and Co-President of the EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee, Mr. Antonio Panzeri, has welcomed this initiative and assured us of his support for its implementation (see my encrypted letter No. 234 of 27-09-2012).
In addition to the relevant Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), MEPs from countries with substantial experience in autonomy will also be invited.
Moroccan parliamentarians, particularly those from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), will be encouraged to engage in exchanges with their European counterparts on topics such as advanced regionalization, decentralization, and regional governance.
Representatives of civil society and human rights organizations could also participate to intervene and express their views on this subject at the European Parliament (EP).
2- Exchange of Views on the Human Rights Situation in Morocco
The Mission plans to invite the President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and other stakeholders to the EP to participate in an exchange of views on Morocco’s achievements in the field of human rights, particularly in our southern provinces. This meeting could be organized in collaboration with the Maghreb delegation and the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights.
3- Training Program for Moroccan Parliamentarians at the EP
This proposal was discussed with the President of the EP, Mr. Martin Schulz, during the official visit to the European Parliament by Mr. Karim Ghellab, President of the House of Representatives, in July 2012. It was also examined and positively received by the co-presidents of the Morocco-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
The Mission plans to organize, in collaboration with the relevant EP services, a specialized seminar in 2013 for 10 to 15 Moroccan deputies. A letter regarding this initiative was sent by Mr. Abderrahim Atmoun, co-president of the JPC, to President Schulz.
This program will contribute to deepening interparliamentary cooperation between the two institutions and will allow Moroccan deputies to enhance their knowledge of the various competencies and issues handled by the European Parliament.
The Mission intends to oversee this training and take advantage of the presence of our parliamentarians participating in this session to exchange ideas and establish cooperation links with other Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
The Mission is currently preparing the study visit of the « EU-Morocco Friendship Group » at the EP to Morocco. In addition to the media significance of such visits to Morocco, particularly in our southern provinces, the trip of the friendship group will contribute to strengthening the parliamentary dimension of Morocco-EU partnership relations. The proposed period for this visit is from January 31 to February 4, 2013.
5- Restructuring and strengthening the actions of the EU-Morocco Friendship Group.
This Mission has, on several occasions, drawn the department’s attention to the dysfunction within our friendship group, which is seriously affecting the Mission’s efforts and the desired results.
The lack of coordination within the EU-Morocco Friendship Group and with the Mission has a negative impact on the contributions and influence of this group at the European Parliament (EP) level.
The current presidency of the group, held by Gilles Pargneaux, lacks substantial support among its members. Despite coordination meetings initiated by this Mission, our collective efforts seem insufficiently assertive. (See my letters: 292 dated 13-11-2012 and 341 dated 14-12-2012).
In this context, the Mission advocates the following actions:
Regularly organize working and information meetings for the members of the Group, keeping them informed on national, regional, and international current affairs relevant to our country.
Propose a methodology aimed at better organizing work and strengthening the effectiveness of our actions within this European institution. (See my letter 233 dated 27-09-2012).
Strengthen the communication tools and methods of the Group. The objective is to ensure that the results of the group’s meetings with Moroccan parliamentarians, government officials, and civil society representatives are widely covered and utilized in the group’s communications and interactions with other formations within the European Parliament, particularly providing objective testimonies about the situation in our southern provinces as well as the reforms and major projects undertaken by our country across various sectors.
Mobilize the group for widespread communication on the development model project recently developed by the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) for the Sahara.
Creating a quarterly newsletter dedicated to the group’s actions could also serve as an additional platform to strengthen communication about Morocco within the European Parliament.
Broaden the group’s representativeness and ensure the recruitment of new active and dynamic members from major EU member states, Eastern European countries, and Nordic countries. A similar effort will be directed, notably, at members of the Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Fisheries, and International Trade committees, among others.
Our accredited Embassies in EU member states could contribute to this effort by inviting Members of the European Parliament to join the EU-Morocco Friendship Group at the EP.
5- Draft report on the human rights situation in “Western Sahara and the Sahel.” (See my encrypted letter N.301 dated 20-11-2012).
It is useful to remind of the elements and proposals made by this Mission to put an end to any malicious actions by British MEP Charles Tannock, from the ECR Group, known for his pro-Polisario stance, who was appointed by the European Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee to draft the document in 2013:
• Mr. Tannock intends to prepare a report on the human rights situation in « Western Sahara » and the Sahel on behalf of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee at the beginning of 2013.
• The reasons for such a report specifically on human rights in « Western Sahara » rather than, for example, in « the Maghreb and the Sahel » are questionable and unconvincing. Vigilance is required.
• Mr. Tannock has indicated that his report will also cover the human rights situation in the Tindouf camps. The Mission informed him during a working meeting in Strasbourg that the positions of certain MEPs on human rights in Morocco, including his own, were biased. At no point did they mention the violations committed in the Tindouf camps.
• The MEP in question maintains close ties with representatives of the Moroccan party « PAM. » According to information, there is a twinning between his party and PAM. This initiative was launched during a meeting between Mr. Biadillah and the head of the « Conservative Party » in September 2012 in Strasbourg.
• Mr. Tannock declined the invitation to visit our southern provinces to be more fully informed on the matter.
• The ECR parliamentary group in the European Parliament, of which Mr. Tannock is a member, is organizing a conference in Marrakech from January 31 to February 3, 2013, on « Security and Democracy in the Maghreb. »
• The Mission has already initiated a mobilization and pressure campaign on the rapporteur. A preliminary meeting was held with him in Strasbourg in November 2012. Another approach was made through MEP Jean Roata (France, EPP, member of the Friendship Group), recently appointed vice-president of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee.
This Mission will keep Mr. Tannock and all concerned MEPs informed of the documents and information provided by the Department on:
• The recent developments of our national issue. • The achievements of our country in terms of human rights. • Socio-economic development in our southern provinces. • The security situation in the Maghreb and the Sahel.
A similar action should be undertaken by:
The official channel: Our accredited embassies to the EU member states. Unless otherwise instructed by the Department, the arguments prepared by this Mission on the Tannock project, as well as the current action plan, will be sent to our concerned embassies.
The Parliamentary Channel: A parliamentary approach is to be undertaken during the « European Conservatives and Reformists Alliance Conference, » scheduled from January 31 to February 3, 2013, in Marrakech (see my encrypted letter 335 of 17-12-2012).
The Associative Channel: Targeting the Moroccan associative network active in European countries.
Attention must be drawn to the department that the separatists have dedicated a page to the draft report by Tannock on a website titled:
The Mission also plans to coordinate its actions with the President of the Maghreb Delegation at the European Parliament (EP), Mr. Antonio Panzeri (Italy, S&D), a close friend of Morocco, in order to limit the potential negative impact of the Tannock project, which pertains to a region under the jurisdiction of the D-MAGH.
6- Strengthening Parliamentary Action.
a- The Joint Parliamentary Commission:
The Mission plans to take advantage of the meeting in Brussels of the Morocco-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission to enhance the parliamentary dimension of relations between Morocco and the EU. During the Moroccan delegation’s visit to the EP, the Mission will organize bilateral meetings with targeted Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
The Mission plans to involve members of the Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) in its information and lobbying efforts on all issues concerning our country at the EP.
It would be very wise for the Moroccan members of the JPC to be provided with very precise information on the two issues raised by the Sahrawi intergroup in the EP, namely the national issue and human rights.
It is also important to recall the fundamental necessity of urgently establishing a Morocco-EU friendship group within the Moroccan Parliament. The creation of this parliamentary body could support and strengthen lobbying for Morocco’s interests with the EU. The Department is requested to initiate a working meeting with the Moroccan Parliament to examine this matter.
Mobilization within Regional Parliamentary Bodies:
Capitalize on the presence of our parliamentarians at meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, Union for the Mediterranean (UPM), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (APM) in favor of our relations with the EP, by establishing connections with European MPs who are members of these bodies. In this regard, the presence of Moroccan MPs who are well-versed in the themes related to Morocco-EU bilateral relations and Mediterranean and regional issues is essential. A meeting of the Department with the Presidents of the two Chambers of Parliament will be very useful to raise awareness on this topic.
Contact between Political Parties:
The initiation of the cooperation process and the smoothing of ties between Moroccan political parties and the political groups of the European Parliament (EP) should be on the agenda of Morocco-EU relations. This action could take the form of cooperation agreements or twinning, such as that between the Istiqbal party and the European People’s Party (EPP), or between the PAM (Authenticity and Modernity Party) and the British Conservative Party. Other forms of partnerships are possible between Moroccan parties and EP political groups from the same political family (membership, associated member, observer member, etc.). Other parties should be encouraged to establish contacts with their counterparts in the EP. Left-wing political parties in Morocco (USFP and PPS) could contribute in this regard.
The increase in invitations for European Parliamentarians to visit Morocco to participate in various conferences or meetings dealing with topics related to Morocco-EU relations, human rights, Mediterranean security, and Euro-Mediterranean relations could strengthen the objectives pursued by our parliamentary diplomacy.
Synergies between the National Parliaments of EU Member States, the Moroccan Parliament, and the EP:
The involvement of the existing friendship networks between the two Chambers of the Moroccan Parliament and their counterparts in the 27 EU member countries in favor of Morocco would be desirable.
Strengthening the Coordination Mechanism at the National Level:
The goal is to strengthen regular coordination and exchange with other relevant Moroccan departments, including the Moroccan Parliament, to monitor the debates in the EP and analyze its positions that directly or indirectly concern Morocco.
The creation of a service or « monitoring unit » in the Department dedicated to regular coordination with the Moroccan Parliament (Foreign Affairs Committee) would be very useful. This channel could ensure the preparation and timely follow-up of our parliamentarians’ actions abroad (information, documentation, Morocco’s positions).
The most important recommendation from this Mission would be to appoint parliamentarians or political party representatives who could act for the long term. In fact, this Mission receives parliamentary delegations whose composition changes each time, making it impossible to establish follow-up relationships with MEPs or even manage the files in an orderly manner. Professional proficiency in both French and English is more than imperative.
Actions at the Bilateral Embassies Level:
Our Embassies are invited to continue maintaining regular links with MEPs from the EU member countries they are accredited to, as well as with the parties they are members of, particularly to regularly raise awareness about the Morocco-EU partnership and anticipate the actions of our adversaries.
Creation of a Lobbying Agency:
The creation of this lobbying agency will contribute to strengthening Morocco’s influence within EU institutions, especially the EP. This agency could act to support diplomatic-parliamentary efforts aimed at promoting and defending Morocco’s interests within the framework of the Morocco-EU Partnership.
Morocco-European Parliamentary Coalition:
There is a need to consider the opportunity to establish a Morocco-European parliamentary coalition, which could operate as a pressure network composed of European MPs, MEPs, and Moroccan MPs and advisors, in order to defend the supreme interests of the Kingdom, similar to the proposal made by the Ministry for the establishment of an international alliance to support issues related to our diplomacy (cf. your letter NO: 1115 of 13-09-2010).
Creation of a Morocco-EU Friendship Group within the Moroccan Parliament.
Document on Panzeri’s Visit to Tindouf:
Morocco #AntonioPanzeri #Qatargate #Moroccogate #EuropeanParliament #corruption #AbderrahimAtmoun #DGED #MohamedBelahrach #YassineElMansouri #WesternSahara #Morocco
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