Akhannouch and Albares highlight the quality of the partnership between Morocco and Spain

The Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, this morning received the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, who arrived in Morocco yesterday for his first official visit since the start of the new legislature.

During their meeting, Akhannouch and Albares highlighted the privileged relations of friendship and cooperation that unite the two countries, as well as the bilateral strategic partnership, an aspect that the leaders of both countries, King Mohammed VI and King Felipe VI, consider key, according to La Vie Eco. The two sides also addressed various issues of common interest and "welcomed the concordance of views", adds the Moroccan newspaper.

"The excellent relations with Morocco, a neighbouring country and strategic partner, are a priority for Spain," Albares said on his social networks. 

Akhannouch and Albares highlighted the quality of the bilateral partnership, a cooperation based on good neighbourliness, mutual trust and permanent and constructive dialogue. In this regard, the roadmap drawn up after the visit to Morocco last April by the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, stands out. During this important visit, a multidimensional strategic partnership was established between the two countries, covering all areas of cooperation.

Ya en Rabat, en mi primer viaje oficial bilateral de la nueva legislatura.

España y Marruecos somos socios estratégicos y países amigos. Reforzamos nuestras relaciones bilaterales, económicas, culturales, de cooperación, en beneficio de nuestros dos países. pic.twitter.com/e3JAECyHhk

— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) December 13, 2023

In addition to Akhannouch, Albares is expected to meet with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, as well as with members of the Spanish Cooperation in Morocco and businessmen working in the North African nation.

According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Albares' trip to Rabat is aimed at boosting political, economic, cultural and development cooperation relations. Likewise, in the words of the minister himself during an interview with the Moroccan news agency MAP, the purpose of the visit is to "relaunch the agenda or road map that Spain and Morocco have built, which is multidimensional". 

Albares highlighted within this bilateral partnership the fight against human trafficking mafias and the fight against terrorism, the boosting of political and human relations, the good figures on a commercial level and the joint organisation of the 2030 World Cup together with Portugal.