Mohammed VI considers the current dynamics of relations with Spain satisfactory
Mohammed VI is satisfied with the current dynamics of relations with Spain, which is marked by "the strengthening of cooperation, coordination and partnership in all areas, based on the principles of trust, mutual respect, ambition, good neighborliness and respect for commitments", as stated in the statement of the Royal House of Morocco.
The monarch received at a lunch the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchez, in a surprise visit to Rabat, in which he reiterated the position of his Executive on the Sahara contained in the joint declaration of last April 2022.
The Moroccan King's statement thanked Spain for "its constructive and important position on the Sahara of supporting the Moroccan proposal for broad autonomy under its sovereignty as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the conflict".
Mohammed VI values very positively the perspectives opened in the relations between Morocco and Spain by the organization, together with Portugal, of the 2030 Football World Cup, as well as the very favorable reception, on the Spanish side, of "the Initiative of the African countries bordering the Atlantic, the Royal Initiative to favor the access of the Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline Nigeria-Morocco".
Statements by Pedro Sanchez
The head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, endorsed on Wednesday from Rabat his country's position on the Sahara issue, in the sense that "Spain supports Morocco's serious and realistic proposal to resolve the conflict". He also praised the excellent relations between Morocco and his country, which have reached their best level in decades.
"Relations between the two countries have reached significant levels, and talks with the King of Morocco covered many areas of cooperation," he told a press conference after his meeting with King Mohammed VI in Rabat on Wednesday.
Sanchez also said he had conveyed King Felipe VI's personal greetings to King Mohammed VI. Morocco and Spain are going through important stages in their cooperation, the Spanish prime minister insisted, recalling that Spain is considered Morocco's first trade partner.
Morocco is "an important partner for Spain, and the fruitful talks with the King of Morocco have been important to develop and advance this partnership," he added.
As expected, Pedro Sanchez confirmed that the talks also focused on the joint organization (with Portugal) of the 2030 World Cup, highlighting the "strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in this regard."
As for the commercial customs in the cities of Sebta and Melilla, Sanchez said that "the two countries continue to cooperate to open them as soon as possible", stressing that "everything is ready on the part of Spain".
The Spanish Prime Minister also pointed out that "relations between the two countries are at their best moment for decades". He added that both countries have established exemplary cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, as well as against illegal immigration.
On another matter, Pedro Sanchez referred to the situation in Palestine, in particular the humanitarian crisis in the city of Rafah, and stressed that "Madrid wants the war to end and aid to arrive, with the need to free the hostages on both sides".
In his response to questions related to the migration agreement with Mauritania, Sanchez stated that "this agreement is effective and will benefit Mauritania and the region", citing the "fruitful cooperation with Morocco in this field".
It should be recalled that the Spanish Prime Minister arrived in Morocco on Wednesday as part of a working visit, and was received by his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch.
Later, King Mohammed VI hosted a lunch in honor of Pedro Sanchez and the delegation accompanying him, led by the head of the government Aziz Akhannouch.
The lunch was attended by the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, the other members of the delegation accompanying Pedro Sanchez, the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich.
FULL TEXT OF THE COMMUNICATE FROM THE ROYAL HOUSE OF MOROCCO
"His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, received, today at the Royal Palace in Rabat, His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, currently on a working visit to Morocco.
This visit follows on from the new stage in bilateral relations, initiated by the meeting between His Majesty the King, may God glorify Him, and the President of the Spanish Government, in April 2022, and the adoption, on that occasion, of the Joint Declaration between the two countries.
This new momentum is progressing satisfactorily. It is marked by strengthening cooperation, coordination and partnership in all fields, based on the principles of trust, mutual respect, ambition, good neighborliness and respect for commitments.
During this Audience, the President of the Spanish Government reiterated to His Majesty the King, may God preserve Him, Spain’s position, contained in the joint declaration of April 2022, considering the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic and credible basis to settle this dispute. His Majesty the King thanked Spain for this new constructive and important position.
His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, and His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sánchez, underlined unique cooperation prospects opening up for the two neighboring countries. The joint organization, with Portugal, of the 2030 Football World Cup is a further lever for strengthening bilateral ties.
The President of the Spanish Government also welcomed and highlighted Spain's interest in the strategic initiatives launched by His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, notably the African Atlantic Coastal Initiative, the Royal Initiative to enable Atlantic access for Sahel countries, and the Nigeria-Morocco African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline.
This audience was attended from the Spanish side, by José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and Emma Aparici, Secretary General of Foreign Affairs at the Presidency of the Government, and from the Moroccan side, by Fouad Ali El Himma, HM the King’s Advisor, and Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
On his arrival at the Royal Palace, the President of the Spanish government reviewed a detachment of the Royal Guard who paid the honors, before being invited to the traditional ceremony of milk and date offering".