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Rabat – Morocco and Spain expressed today their full satisfaction with the bilateral ties between the two countries.
The two countries conveyed their commitment toward strengthening diplomatic ties between Rabat and Madrid during the high-level meeting, chaired by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez.
The high-level meeting, which opened today, came as part of the two countries determination to continue to build on the newfound roadmap Rabat and Madrid announced last year in April.
“The meeting serves as an opportunity to celebrate the good diplomatic ties and friendly relations between the two countries,” Akhannouch said in his opening speech today.
The Moroccan official also renewed Morocco’s gratitude regarding Spain’s new position on the Western Sahara dossier.
The Moroccan delegation attending the High Level Meeting
Akhannouch recalled that Spain endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, describing it as the “most serious and credible” basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Morocco submitted the autonomy initiative to the UN Security Council in 2007 as part of the country’s efforts to contribute to the UN-led political process, seeking to find an agreed-upon and mutually acceptable political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Akhannouch also welcomed the deepening of diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two countries at different levels, renewing Rabat and Madrid’s commitment to contributing to regional peace and security.
Morocco’s head of government also recalled the previous high-level meeting held in Madrid in 2015, pointing out the “positive results marked by the implementation of the contents of the joint declaration” of that work meeting.
“As much as we welcome the progress that has been made, we reiterate our desire to raise our cooperation and expand it to new dimensions,” he said.
For Morocco, ties should be expanded to include more areas of cooperation – in addition to sustainable development, renewable energy, agriculture, security, counterterrorism, and the fight against irregular migration.
For his part, Spain’s PM echoed Akhannouch’s remarks, emphasizing his country’s determination to continue bolstering ties with Morocco at all levels.
The Spanish PM also expressed gratitude to Morocco for the hospitality and welcome that the Spanish delegation received during its visit to Morocco.
Sanchez also recalled Spain’s King Felipe VI’s commitment to boosting friendly ties and brotherly relations with Morocco and its leader, King Mohammed VI.
Spain PM addressing a speech at the Morocco-Spain High-Level Meeting in Rabat
On the sidelines of the high-level meeting on Wednesday, the Economic Forum between the two countries marked the introduction of a credit line of $879.48 million (€800 million) that the Spanish government seeks to invest in joint projects in the North African kingdom.
Thursday is set to witness the signing of 24 agreements to boost cooperation, in different sectors, including renewable energy, water desalination plants, and infrastructure.
The high-level meeting came as part of a newfound positive diplomatic relationship in the wake of a year-long diplomatic crisis in 2021.
In April 2021, Spain caused a political row after hosting Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for hospitalization.
It was not until March of last year when ties improved between Rabat and Madrid after the Spanish government’s decision to endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Since then, Spain pledged to further deepen ties with its neighboring country in all sectors.
