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Rabat – The Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, has reiterated the importance of bilateral relations with Morocco, describing the North African country as a “key partner” at different levels.
Albares made his remarks on Tuesday at the Spanish Senate where he recalled that Morocco is a “key partner in the fight against terrorism, in dismantling jihadist cells, in combating irregular migration, in addition to its importance for the Spanish economic fabric.”
For Albares, Spain “must have the best relations with a neighbor like Morocco,” adding that “it is a rule of foreign policy and state policy.”
Emphasizing the importance of cooperation with Morocco, Albares recalled that trade between the two countries exceeds €21 billion in value
Over 17,000 Spanish companies are also exporting their products to Morocco.
In addition to the economy and bilateral ties, Albares also emphasized the human relations binding the two countries. He added that nearly one million Moroccans live in Spain, while 17,000 Spaniards live in Morocco.
Relations between Morocco and Spain have been advanced and developing since 2022, when the European country decided to join a growing list of countries that view the Autonomy Plan as “the most serious and credible” political basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
The autonomy initiative is a plan proposed and submitted by Morocco to the UN Security Council in 2007 to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Morocco has been subject to Algerian-backed maneuvers challenging the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
These maneuvers are reflected by Algeria’s regime’s unwavering support for the Polisario Front– a separatist group that claims independence in the Western Sahara. Algeria hosts, finances, and arms the Polisario Front, who are sheltered in the Tindouf refugee camps.
Spain’s decision to endorse the autonomy plan did not sit well with the Algerian regime, which has been opposing and challenging the European country’s endorsement since 2022.
Upon learning about Spain’s decision, Algeria decided to recall its ambassador to Madrid and suspend a 20-year-long friendship treaty with the European country in an attempt to pressure it to reverse its endorsement of Morocco’s plan.
Spain, however, has frequently stressed that its decision was a sovereign act, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Recently, Algeria has shown signs that it seeks to mend diplomatic ties with Spain through the appointment of a new ambassador to Madrid.
Algeria expected a visit by FM Albares in February, but the trip was canceled at the last minute– opening up room for speculations.
Converging reports said that the cancellation of the visit was due to political divergences between the two countries, adding that Albares refused to speak about the Sahara conflict during his trip to Algiers.
In March, however, Albares indicated the reason was not political, stating to the press that “postponement of international trips happen.”
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