Western Sahara: Morocco, Spain Enter New Phase of Bilateral Relations

Rabat – Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, has said that Morocco and Spain have entered a new phase of bilateral relations marked by “mutual respect, commitment to agreements, the absence of unilateral actions, and transparency and permanent communication.”

“Today, we begin a new phase of relations with Morocco and close definitively a crisis with a strategic partner,” stated Albares at a March 18 press conference in Barcelona.

The strategic bilateral relations between Rabat and Madrid will be developed with respect to a “clear and ambitious roadmap” to address common challenges and preserve the stability, prosperity, and territorial integrity of both countries, he argued.

“The stability and prosperity of our countries are intimately linked. Spain and Morocco are linked by history and geography. The two countries are connected by more than €16 billion (MAD 173 billion) of trade. Morocco is the third economic partner of Spain outside the EU,” Albares stressed.

Spain’s chief diplomat’s comments echoed the message of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who stated on Friday that Morocco and Spain “are inextricably linked by affections, history, geography, interests, and a shared friendship.”

In a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI, Sanchez officially endorsed, on behalf of his country, Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara, arguing that it is “the most serious and credible basis” to resolve the lingering conflict.

Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Spanish endorsement of the Autonomy Plan.

“The Kingdom of Morocco highly appreciates Spain’s positive positions and constructive commitments on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara,” the ministry stated in a press release on March 18.

Spain’s official endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the “most credible” solution to the decades-long conflict is considered a milestone and major turning point in its bilateral relations with the North African kingdom.

In April 2021, the two countries went through an unprecedented diplomatic crisis due to Spain’s hosting of the Polisoro leader Brahim Ghali.

Entering the country under a false identity, Ghali resided in a hospital in Logrono near Zaragoza. Local media broke the news, prompting a wave of shock in Morocco, a long-standing political and economic ally and partner of Spain.

Albares spoke emphatically of the scale and importance of Morocco-Spain trade relations during his March 18 press conference. “Spanish exports to Morocco have increased by 29% in 2020/2021,” he noted, adding that “17,000 Spanish companies have trade relations with Morocco (and) more than 800,000 Moroccans live in Spain perfectly integrated.”

Spain’s welcoming of Ghali had a severe impact on its relationship with Morocco. Yet, in the past few months, the two countries have expressed interest in diplomatic rapprochement.

These efforts were crowned yesterday by Spain’s official support of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara.