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Join on Telegram Rabat – King Mohammed VI received Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Royal Palace in Rabat today for a working visit. The visit marks a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two neighboring countries, which have shared a long and complex history.
The meeting comes nearly a year after the two leaders met in April 2022 and adopted a joint declaration, signaling a new era of cooperation and partnership. Since then, the two countries have made significant progress in strengthening their ties in a variety of areas, including trade, investment, security, and cultural exchange.
In a statement, Morocco’s Royal Cabinet quoted King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Sánchez as reaffirming their commitment to the principles governing the longstanding relations between Madrid and Rabat, including trust, mutual respect, good neighborliness, and respect for commitments.
Sánchez arrived earlier today at the Rabat-Sale Airport along with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, and he was warmly received by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
During their meeting, the King and the Spanish PM also highlighted the unique opportunities for cooperation between Madrid and Rabat, including ongoing preparations to jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal.
Read also: King Mohammed VI Congratulates Spain’s Pedro Sanchez on Reelection
Another central topic mentioned during the two leaders’ discussions was the reaffirmation of Spain’s support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a viable solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
Prime Minister Sánchez reiterated his country’s endorsement of the Moroccan initiative, emphasizing its significance in advancing a realistic and credible resolution to the lingering territorial dispute.
In response, King Mohammed VI expressed gratitude for Spain’s constructive stance on the matter, highlighting the importance of mutual respect and cooperation.
Additionally, Prime Minister Sánchez commended Morocco’s strategic initiatives, including efforts to promote cooperation among Atlantic-bordering African nations and initiatives such as the Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.
These initiatives reflect Morocco’s proactive approach to regional development and cooperation, garnering recognition and support from Spain and other international partners, noted the Royal Cabinet’s readout of the meeting.
The two countries place their cooperation within the framework of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, Cooperation and Enhanced Political Dialogue, resulting from the Joint Declaration of April 07, 2022, based on the principles of transparency, permanent dialogue, mutual respect and implementation of commitments and agreements signed by both parties.
Attending the meeting from the Spanish side were Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Emma Aparici, Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister, while King Mohammed VI was accompanied by Fouad Ali El Himma, Counselor to the King, and Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad.
