Spain reiterates its support for Morocco over Western Sahara and highlights the reforms undertaken by King Mohammed VI
Diplomatic relations between Spain and Morocco are at their best in history, as made clear by the governments of both nations at the 13th High-Level Meeting (HLM) held in Madrid.
Pedro Sánchez, President of the Spanish Government, and Aziz Akhannouch, Head of the Moroccan Government, led the Spanish-Moroccan government summit at the highest level held on 4 December in the Spanish capital. This was a very important meeting that served to sign up to 14 agreements in various key areas such as the digitisation and modernisation of public administrations, strengthening cooperation in sport, culture and education, bilateral cooperation in the prevention of and response to hate speech, the promotion of feminist diplomacy, improved cooperation in natural disaster management, agriculture and fisheries, security and the fight against terrorism, financial taxation, migration, etc.
The Joint Declaration presented by both nations on the occasion of the RAN detailed very important points that highlight the close relationship between two countries that are strategic allies and neighbours on both sides of the Mediterranean.
The issue of Western Sahara
Among these important issues is that of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. On this point, Spain welcomed the adoption of Resolution 2797 by the United Nations (UN) Security Council, which highlighted the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahrawi territory as the most solid basis for negotiations between the parties involved in the future of territorial sovereignty in the area.
In the declaration adopted at the end of the 13th High-Level Meeting held in Madrid, Spain welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2797 of 31 October 2025, which emphasises that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most solid basis for dialogue to resolve the Sahrawi dispute.
In March 2022, the Spanish Government, led by Pedro Sánchez, already supported Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, presented to the United Nations in 2007, considering it the most serious, credible and realistic option for resolving the Sahrawi territorial issue.
This autonomy plan grants the Sahrawis a high degree of self-government, leaving international and defence policy in the hands of the Moroccan state and respecting UN resolutions. All this with the aim of developing the territory to its full potential.
Following this endorsement, King Mohammed VI invited Pedro Sánchez to a meeting in Rabat in February 2023, where the roadmap for bilateral relations for the coming years was drawn up. There, it was agreed to hold the 12th HLM, which took place in Rabat in 2023, where dozens of relevant agreements were signed in various areas such as trade, migration, defence, technology, culture, etc., and a financial protocol worth 800 million euros to support the various initiatives agreed upon. This roadmap also led to the 13th HLM held in Madrid, which served to further strengthen the bond between the two nations with up to 14 agreements signed in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, sports, digitalisation, taxation, etc.
Spain expressed its satisfaction with the UN's determination on the Sahara issue, fully supporting the efforts of Secretary-General António Guterres and his personal envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to facilitate and lead negotiations based on the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco.
As stated in the Joint Declaration of the 13th HLM in Madrid: the Spanish President of the Government reiterated Spain's position on the Western Sahara issue, as expressed in the Joint Declaration of 7 April 2022. In this regard, Spain welcomes the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 of 31 October 2025, supporting 'fully the work of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate and conduct negotiations based on Morocco's autonomy proposal with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and welcomes any constructive suggestions from the parties in response to the autonomy proposal,‘ which emphasises that ’genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution' for a mutually acceptable solution.
Highlighting the reforms undertaken by King Mohammed VI
Spain also highlighted the reforms undertaken by Morocco under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, as well as the Royal Initiatives for Africa.
In the Joint Declaration presented after the 13th Morocco-Spain High Level Meeting held in Madrid, Spain welcomed the ambitious reforms implemented under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Spain thus supported ‘the dynamic of openness, progress and modernity that Morocco is experiencing thanks to the modernisation reforms guided by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in particular the new development model, advanced regionalisation, the national strategy for sustainable development and new social projects’.
The Spanish Government also praised the Royal Initiatives in favour of the African continent, in particular the Atlantic African States Process Initiative and the International Initiative to promote access to the Atlantic Ocean for the Sahel countries, as well as the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline.
These initiatives, the Declaration stresses, reflect Morocco's commitment to the stability and prosperity of the African continent.
Spain also highlighted Morocco's consistent and balanced role in supporting the peace process, under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, President of the Al-Quds Committee, which works to preserve the legal and historical status of the holy city of Jerusalem and to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.