Rabat — Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares doubled down on the importance of bilateral ties with Morocco amid a fierce hostile campaign targeting the North African country by Spanish media.
Albares made his remarks during an interview with Onda Cero radio on Monday, where he elevated the Rabat-Madrid cooperation spanning all sectors– especially trade.
Over the past three years, commercial exchanges between the two countries amounted to €24 billion, Albares said, noting that the Spanish-Moroccan relations are at the “best moment.”
He also recognized both countries’ cooperation in other areas, including in the fight against terrorism, irregular migration, and human trafficking.
“Morocco plays an absolutely fundamental role in the fight against human trafficking gangs and terrorist groups, ” the diplomat said, referring to the North African country’s intelligence expertise in helping Spain to handle terrorist plots.
Albares remarks are set to ignite further frustration among some activists, MPs, and even Spanish media that constantly share anti-Moroccan rhetoric.
This rhetoric has resurfaced across Spanish media in recent months. Recent reports took issue with delays in the complete reopening of customs activities between Morocco and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Within their critical campaign against Morocco, some media outlets wrote that the African country is “blocking the customs” operations.
Despite reassurances from the Spanish government and authorities that the delay is due to technical issues, these media outlets continue to disseminate allegations targeting Rabat.
Some reports claimed Morocco is delaying complete customs operations because it demands full ownership of airspace control over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Despite the negativity towards Morocco in the media, however, officials from the two countries, however, often reiterate the importance of bilateral relations between Rabat and Madrid.
Morocco’s ambassador to Spain Karima Benyaich also recalled the vital partnership between the two countries in a recent conference held last week.
According to the ambassador, companies operating in Morocco generate €2 billion in investments and create 20,000 jobs.
She also said that Moroccan companies – including fertilizer giant OCP– are increasing their investments in Spain.
Spain and Morocco benefit from frequent air travel between the two destinations, with an estimated 260 flights per week, as well as 60 daily maritime connections, Benyaich said.
Morocco received three million Spanish visitors last year. The number represents a 16% increase compared to 2023. This confirmed Spain as Morocco’s second-largest tourist market, following the US and the UK.
