Rabat – Spain’s government celebrated the “excellent” relationship between Morocco and Spain on Wednesday, ahead of the 13th High-Level Meeting between the two countries, scheduled to take place in Madrid today.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new Civil Guard center in the province of Albacete, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the meeting comes at a time when both countries enjoy “wonderful” relations.
Morocco and Spain maintain “brotherly relations” built on “respect and responsibility,” he explained, adding that the two governments work together with this spirit in mind.
Grande-Marlaska stated that bilateral cooperation has reached “outstanding levels,” especially in the area of security, noting a “close partnership” that helps both countries protect their citizens.
He also said that cooperation with Morocco goes beyond security, describing it as economic, cultural, social, and essential at a time when both countries face “serious global challenges.” According to him, the ties between the two countries are “more than just a neighborhood relationship” and have a clearly “brotherly” character.
Meanwhile in Madrid, Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch spoke about the strategic importance of the partnership between Morocco and Spain during the closing of the Morocco-Spain Economic Forum.
Akhannouch said the two countries have a “unique opportunity” to turn their partnership into a driving force for relations between Africa and Europe, with Morocco and Spain serving as key hubs.
He noted that Spain is a major European power in renewable energy and an important industrial platform, while Morocco serves as an African gateway, a strong export base to Europe, and a future supplier of green energy.
Morocco has significantly deepened its economic ties with Africa over the past two decades to become the leading African investor in West Africa, Akhannouch noted.
This growing regional assertiveness is the result of King Mohammed VI’s long-term vision, he said, concluding that Morocco can help connect Spanish companies with African countries with which it maintains strong political, diplomatic, and economic relations.
