Felix Bolanos, Spain’s Minister of Presidency, has said his country seeks a “stable and good relationship” with Morocco.
Through its recognition of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara as “the most serious and credible basis” to end the decades-long conflict, “Spain wants to engage with Morocco in a stable and good relationship,” Bolanos said on Saturday.
Emphasizing the need for greater collaboration between the two neighbors, the Spanish official said that “this world needs cooperation between countries and joint work on common challenges.”
He explained that his country’s new position on Western Sahara is a logical extension of its view of Morocco as an important and essential ally.
Bolano pointed to the indispensable nature of cooperation between Rabat and Madrid on questions like migration management and the fight against organized crimes such as human trafficking networks. “By opening a new page in their bilateral relationship, Spain and Morocco are committed to consolidating stable and good cooperation,” he stressed.
The Spanish official’s comments come on the heels of Spain’s decision on Friday to officially recognize Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious way toward a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
Madrid laid out its new position in a letter Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed to King Mohammed VI.
In the latter, Spain notably commended Morocco’s efforts within the framework of the UN-led political process to find a mutually acceptable solution. The letter also recalled the historic and profoundly strategic diplomatic ties binding Madrid and Rabat, suggesting that Morocco is both a good neighbor and reliable ally with which Spain wants to maintain constructive and mutually beneficial relations.
In response, Morocco’s government celebrated Spain’s new position, saying it appreciates Spain’s positive move and its constructive commitments to UN-led efforts to resolve the Sahara question.
Since Madrid announced its new, pro-Moroccan position on the Sahara conflict, observers and media reports have pointed out that the move signals the start of a new era in Spain-Moroccan relations after months of lingering tensions, and is a testament to Morocco’s growing diplomatic outreach.
Read Also: The Meaning of Algeria’s Angry Reaction to Spain’s Western Sahara Decision
