New advances in Spain-Morocco relations
Spanish-Moroccan relations are consolidating. Strategic alliances in the economic and security spheres are the foundations of relations that have no ceiling. On the economic front, Mohcine Jazouli, Morocco's Minister of Investment, and Héctor Gómez, Spain's Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, praised the potential of relations between the two nations. The two countries have a lot of potential, but there are also big challenges, according to Gómez. The fisheries agreement is the most well-known and also the one that has caused the most disputes.
If we put the focus on citizen security, based on information from the General Directorate for Surveillance of the National Territory (DGST), in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ, for its French acronym) managed to destroy a terrorist cell associated with the "Daesh" group, active in the city of Tangier. This was achieved as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorism. In terms of intercultural and educational cooperation, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares pointed out that "bilingual sections are being opened" and "reinforcing the teaching of Spanish in up to 100 schools and creating for the first time a Spanish public high school in Rabat".
After Spain allowed Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali to enter its territory in April 2021 to receive treatment for a respiratory condition in a hospital in Logroño, the two countries were able to recompose their diplomatic ties and reach the current state of harmony. Following the Moroccan kingdom's criticism of Spain's lack of information and cooperation, tense situations arose, such as the entry of thousands of unauthorised immigrants from Moroccan territory through the border with Ceuta or the departure of the Moroccan ambassador from Madrid.
Morocco shows its commitment to continue implementing the roadmap adopted in the Joint Declaration of 7 April 2022 in Rabat after the meeting between King Mohamed VI and Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish President of the Government. According to a senior Moroccan Foreign Ministry official who spoke to Spanish Rue20 just before the Spanish elections, "bilateral relations between Morocco and Spain are progressing very positively, there is also constant dialogue, and both countries are moving forward in all areas".
The same diplomatic source assured that "the roadmap adopted on 7 April 2022 has outlined the joint work plan to be followed and its objectives". The two governments "are committed to the materialisation of all the objectives set out in the roadmap announced, in full Spanish-Moroccan harmony in all areas". As highlighted in the Joint Declaration, Spain and Morocco continue to work towards the objectives of the new stage of their relationship, being aware of the scope and strategic importance of the ties that unite them, as well as the legitimate aspirations for peace, security and prosperity of the two peoples.
It should be noted that Spain recognises the importance of the Western Sahara issue for Rabat on the basis of the new road map and the Kingdom's serious and credible efforts to find a solution within the UN framework. Spain sees in the Moroccan autonomy proposal of 2007 the most serious, practical and reliable basis for resolving this conflict in this regard. I recognise the importance of the Sahara issue for the North African nation and the sincere and credible efforts of the country to find a solution within the UN framework.
In this sense, Spain considers the Moroccan proposal for autonomy made in 2007 as the most serious, credible and practical basis for resolving this conflict, according to Sánchez's letter to King Mohamed VI of 14 March 2022, which the Moroccan Royal Palace made public on the 18th of the same month.
All these factors indicate that both nations are committed to maintaining their strategic partnership, a potential partnership. Morocco's consolidation as part of the Iberian bid to host the 2030 World Cup is another guarantee that this new roadmap will be further solidified.
