Bourita and Albares strengthen bilateral relations in Paris

The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, met with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, in Paris. The meeting sought to strengthen bilateral relations between Spain and Morocco, with both agreeing that ‘ties are at their best in history’.

Context of the meeting

In Paris, Bourita and Albares agreed to maintain active diplomatic cooperation. During their meeting on the sidelines of the 4th Feminist Foreign Policy Conference, Albares highlighted the friendship and cooperation between the two economies.

Albares emphasised the importance of friendship and cooperation on his Twitter account. He wrote that the meeting served to ‘deepen the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries’.

For his part, Bourita highlighted the need to maintain coordination on bilateral and multilateral issues, ensuring the continuity of the progress made in the areas of security, the economy and migration management.

Main areas of cooperation

• Security and migration: Spain and Morocco seek to strengthen cooperation to manage migration flows and prevent human trafficking networks.
• Economy and trade: Both countries highlight the importance of maintaining strong trade relations and promoting mutual investment.
• Multilateral diplomacy: Coordination in international forums, such as the UN, is a recurring theme in these meetings.
• Gender equality: In the context of the Feminist Foreign Policy Conference, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to feminist diplomacy and the advancement of equality policies.

Political relevance and future prospects

The meeting between Bourita and Albares also has a strategic component. The relationship between Spain and Morocco is fundamental for regional stability, security cooperation and the management of migration flows. Furthermore, it serves as preparation for future negotiations on sensitive issues, including matters related to Western Sahara at the UN.

This is the second meeting between the two diplomats in just one month, following their meeting in New York in the context of the United Nations General Assembly. The frequency of these meetings reflects the desire of both countries to consolidate strategic ties and mutual trust.

The meeting in Paris reaffirms Spain and Morocco's willingness to deepen their strategic ties. Albares and Bourita demonstrated that constant dialogue and active cooperation are key to maintaining a solid and constructive relationship.