Spain opens up to a more solid and stronger phase in relations with Morocco
The Spanish Foreign Minister will be a guest in Rabat starting Wednesday as part of a visit to activate the provisions of a roadmap, including the opening of customs crossings in Melilla and Ceuta
Spanish diplomacy is actively working to give a strong boost to the growing relations between Madrid and Rabat. The Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, is visiting Morocco on December 13 and 14, preparing for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. According to informed sources, the visit will confirm Madrid’s positions on the Moroccan Sahara through important consultations that culminated in a strategic roadmap to build relations between the two countries on new foundations.
Spanish diplomatic sources indicate that Albares’ visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, especially political, economic, trade, and linguistic areas. This marks Albares’ first foreign visit since the beginning of the new legislative term.
The Spanish Foreign Minister will hold talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita. Relations between Morocco and Spain have gained momentum following the meeting in Rabat on April 7, 2022, between Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez.
After winning the recent elections, Sanchez abandoned the tradition of the “first destination” due to improved relations between the two countries and the absence of signs of tension, signaling the need for reassurance.
Spanish media reports that during his upcoming visit to Rabat on Thursday, the Spanish Foreign Minister will discuss several agreements reached during the high-level meeting between Morocco and Spain on February 1 and 2 of this year. The discussions will also cover Sanchez’s upcoming visit to Morocco.
Many parties are awaiting the outcome of Albares’ anticipated visit to Morocco, especially regarding the implementation of the provisions of the new roadmap between the two countries, such as the opening of customs crossings in Melilla and Ceuta, and other issues related to migration.
The announcement of Albares’ visit comes a few days after diplomatic sources revealed to the “Okdiario” newspaper that Sanchez had tasked the diplomatic apparatus at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with preparing for a visit to Morocco in the near future. It is expected that Albares will discuss the details of the preparation for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s visit to Morocco in the coming weeks or months.
Sanchez, in the past few days, emphasized the importance of the friendly relations between Spain and the Kingdom of Morocco during a phone call with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, according to a post on the official “El Espanol” website. Sanchez, in his first conversation with his Moroccan counterpart since the confidence in him was renewed as the head of the Spanish government for a new term, expressed Spain’s desire “to strengthen the agreed-upon bilateral agenda and explore new opportunities offered by this renewed relationship.”
He also indicated that Spain would “also work to strengthen the close relationship between Morocco and the European Union.” Spain currently holds the presidency of the European Union, allowing it to push for the strengthening of relations between Rabat and Brussels.
In his post about the conversation with Akhannouch, Sanchez hinted that Madrid and Rabat would accelerate the implementation of the provisions of the roadmap agreed upon by the Sanchez government and the Akhannouch government. The two countries agreed on bilateral cooperation in various fields, such as investment, trade, migration, counter-terrorism, and combating international crime, avoiding any unilateral positions that may cause a crisis between the two parties.
It is expected that Spain will reach a new record in the volume of its trade with Morocco. According to sources familiar with this file, Spain will conclude the year 2023 with a new record in the volume of trade with Morocco, thanks to the development of relations and achieving a qualitative leap after the shift in Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.
Madrid has become the leading economic partner for Morocco, while Rabat is also one of Spain’s most important partners outside the European Union. Trade flows between the two countries are likely to surpass the record figures recorded last year. According to the latest data from January to September of last year, Spain’s exports to Morocco increased from 3% to 3.2% of the total, while imports increased from 1.9% to 2.1% of the total trade.”
