New unprecedented stage

It will not take long to prove that the decision to support Morocco's proposal for a broad autonomy for the Sahara under its sovereignty is a wise decision and that it responds to Spanish interests of all kinds: strategic, political, economic, commercial, social and cultural. 

This does not detract from two important issues: that Spain should maintain the best possible relations with Algeria, beyond gas. Improving and increasing economic and commercial investment, migratory controls and collaboration in all possible sectors with the aim, furthermore, of helping Algeria and Morocco overcome their problems and recover relations, something that will be very positive for both peoples, for the stability of the region and of Europe. What a great decision it would be to open the border between the two great Maghreb countries! And the second: that in the relationship between Spain and Morocco all commitments are fulfilled on both sides, with mutual respect, with the recovery of trust and with the demonstration that Spain's strategic interests are Morocco's strategic interests and that the solvent and lasting guarantees on Ceuta, Melilla, territorial waters and the Canary Islands and the control of migration flows are strictly and loyally complied with.

This new relationship must also involve the EU, because Morocco and Algeria have a key role to play in the normalisation of the Sahel. On this point, special emphasis must be placed on the risk of European attention being reduced following the departure of French troops from Mali. On the contrary, what is absolutely essential on the part of the European Union, leading within NATO what could be considered a concrete task of the European pillar, is an action that is precise in its objectives, consensual in its provision of resources and solvent in its political support, complemented by economic and commercial investment. The Sahel region needs to be given greater consideration in the plans of the countries of the region and of the Europeans to prevent the terrorist groups that operate with too much impunity from destabilising North Africa. It is unacceptable that Algeria and Morocco do not pool their efforts and resources to confront and neutralise the threats to the Maghreb from terrorist groups, including criminal organisations that traffic in arms, drugs, precious stones, people, animals and anything else that brings them profit. Of particular concern are the failed states, those countries with weak and corrupt governments, such as Mali, where the invasion of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group has provoked the departure of French troops. The Sahara conflict needs to be resolved as soon as possible and the threat in the Sahel needs to be ended.