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With critical talks with the European Union regarding agricultural and fishing agreements drawing near, and learning from the successful outcome on November 26 in the European Parliament, Morocco is enhancing its influence approach in Brussels.

In Brussels, Rabat is enhancing its communication approach by engaging consultants who have previously collaborated with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, according toAfrica IntelligenceFor many years, Morocco has been looking for a lobbyist who can successfully represent its interests in European institutions, especially in the agricultural and food sector.

As per the European transparency register, the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) entered into an agreement on January 22 with the Swiss consultancy Boldt BPI. At the company, the Moroccan account is managed by John Duhig, a veteran in communications who has previously collaborated with both the Obama and Biden administrations.

Morocco had already implemented a comparable strategy in Washington. In May 2020, Rabatentrustedthe protection of its interests in the United States by Park Group, a company recognized for its strong connections with the Democratic Party. Park Group was established by former advisors to Democratic officials, including Michael Feldman, who worked as a consultant for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election.

Laying the foundation for agricultural and fishing agreements

The collaboration with Boldt BPI seeks to “foster and enhance stronger economic collaboration, aligned with the shared interests of Morocco and its international partners,” emphasizing trade, financial and industrial cooperation, as well as investment. Special emphasis is being placed on the European Union’s southern neighborhood strategy and the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between Morocco and the EU.

Africa Intelligence mentions that Morocco has previously collaborated with lobbying companies like SEC Newgate EU (Italy) and Rud Pedersen (Scandinavia). In March 2025, Rud Pedersen came under scrutiny.harassment campaignled by MEPs affiliated with the Polisario, shortly after a visit on February 16 to the Tindouf camps by Nikolas Nyrop, head of the Danish NGO Global Aktion. This organization had wrongly claimed that Morocco set fire to its office in Copenhagen.

By enlisting Boldt BPI, Rabat aims to “gain additional support within the European Parliament,” at a moment when Morocco and the European Commission are examining two key protocols: one concerning agricultural trade and another related to fisheries.

The matters were addressed during the January 22 gathering in Brussels of the permanent envoys of the EU’s 27 member nations (Coreper), which came after a meeting on January 15 in Rabat of the Morocco-EU Association Committee. This session centered on “cooperation and a peaceful political dialogue regarding bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual concern,” as stated in a release from Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared on social media. A subsequent session of the Association Committee is set for January 29 in Brussels.

It’s worth remembering that the European Parliament barelyrejectedA temporary agricultural deal signed on October 3 by Morocco and the European Union, which involved goods from Western Sahara.