Moroccan FM: Relations with Germany Should be Based on Reciprocity, Clarity

Rabat – Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita has said that Morocco’s relations with Germany should be based on “clarity and reciprocity.”

The Moroccan FM made his remarks during a closed-door meeting last week with the Foreign Affairs Commission of Morocco’s House of Councillors.

According to a report of the meeting cited by Spanish outlet EFE, the Moroccan FM said that relations with Germany “require action and efforts, in line with a logic that takes into account clarity and reciprocity.”

Morocco and Germany have been experiencing a diplomatic rift due to Berlin’s position over Western Sahara.

The first signs of the bilateral rift appeared in March, when Morocco’s Foreign Ministry announced the suspension of all contact with Germany’s embassy in Rabat.

Without giving details, the foreign ministry noted that the decision was made in response to “deep misunderstandings” with Germany on questions Morocco deems essential for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The tension appeared to have deepened by May, prompting the Moroccan government to provide an explanation for its decision to cut all ties with the German embassy. In its justification, Rabat notably pointed to Berlin’s “exacerbated hostile acts” against Morocco’s interests with regards to Western Sahara.

The statement emphasized that Germany has consistently undermined Morocco’s interests, noting that Berlin has not “distanced itself from its destructive attitude” in the Sahara dispute.

Rabat also spoke of Germany’s “antagonistic” activity after Trump’s decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara, describing the German government’s unwelcoming reaction to Trump’s move as “unexplained.”

Morocco then decided to recall its ambassador from Germany, arguing that the bilateral relationship needed a reset.

Also key in Morocco’s decision was Germany’s failure to cooperate on the case of former terror convict Mohamed Hajib, according to the ministry’s statement.

Hajib has been living in Germany since 2017 after spending seven years in a Moroccan prison on charges of terrorism.

Berlin refused to extradite Hajib back to Morocco, ignoring intelligence provided by the North African country connecting him to groups and an ideology that still threatens regional stability, the statement suggested.

In addition to Germany, Bourita also commented on relations between Morocco and the European Union, saying that ties between Rabat and Brussels experienced an “outstanding evolution” this year.

He also expressed satisfaction with recent developments in Morocco-Spain relations after months of tensions.

While stating that Morocco is committed to “being a good neighbor with Spain,” he emphasized that the Sahara conflict remains the Moroccan government’s top priority.

Morocco follows a firm and clear policy on the Sahara questions and considers its Autonomy Plan as the only solution to end the decades-long dispute, he stressed.