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Rabat – Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares will carry out a bilateral visit to Morocco next week, Spanish news outlet El Pais reported.
“The objective of the visit, according to government sources, is to revitalize the roadmap agreed upon during the meeting that Pedro Sanchez held in Rabat with Mohammed VI in April 2022,” the news outlet said.
Several other Spanish news outlets reported on Albares’ visit, stressing that the bilateral trip reflects the importance of cooperation between the two countries.
The visit, according to Servimedia, seeks to strengthen political relations as well as to enhance economic ties.
It will be Albares’ first bilateral trip to the North African country during his new term as a foreign minister since his appointment following Pedro Sanchez’ re-election as Prime Minister.
Albares carried out several official trips to Morocco during his first term as foreign minister.
The new visit comes as the two countries have been pledging to reinforce cooperation at all levels, including trade, political dialogue, culture, and sports.
Morocco, along with Spain and Portugal have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with the three countries determined to present a historic tournament.
Following his re-election, Sanchez announced that he is determined to work with Morocco towards fostering closer ties between Morocco and Spain as well as the EU.
In November, Sanchez announced that he held a phone call with Morocco’s Head of government Aziz Akhannouch where he emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries.
The Spanish official has been reiterating his country’s position, since the end of a year-long diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors.
In April 2021, the two countries experienced a serious diplomatic crisis following the Spanish government’s decision to allow the hospitalization of Polisario leader Brahim Ghali on Spanish soil.
Following a year of crisis, Spain decided to officially endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, which it described as the most realistic and viable route to a lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
The two countries closed this chapter by announcing a new roadmap for furthering diplomatic relations and cooperation at all levels, notably trade and security.
