MAP/Morocco World News
MAP/Morocco World News
Madrid, August 26, 2011
Spain highly appreciates reforms undertaken by HM King Mohammed VI, said spokesman of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) at the foreign affairs committee of Spain’s Senate, José Carracao.
“Spain, which considers Morocco as a priority partner, highly appreciates and supports reforms undertaken by Morocco’s king, HM Mohammed VI, to meet the legitimate demands of the Moroccan people,” he said.
In an article published by electronic newspaper “Calle de agua”, created at the initiative of Moroccan and Spanish journalists to promote understanding between the peoples of the two countries, the Spanish senator noted that the reforms will accelerate the process that was launched several years ago.
He also praised the bilateral strategic partnership in terms of fighting illegal immigration, terrorism and drug trafficking, commending rapprochement between Moroccan and Spanish civil societies especially in the field of education and culture.
Regarding economic relations, José Carracao stressed their “importance” given the fact that Spain is Morocco’s second client and Morocco is the second client of Spain in the world.
Since the advent of democracy in Spain after King Juan Carlos came to power in November 1975, relations between Morocco and Spain have been subjected to frequent tensions, due to thorny issues, such as the Sahara, the question of Ceuta and Melilla (two Spanish enclaves in the Moroccan hinterland) drug trafficking, negotiations on fishing agreements, immigration and economic competition.
However, In spite of the contentious political agenda between the countries, they managed to maintain good neighborly relations, which have been at their best during periods when the tenant of Moncloa is from the left-of-center PSOE.