[Curiosities] King Felipe VI: Morocco-Spain Ties Are Progressing on ‘Stronger’ Basis

[BirSaNN]

The Spanish monarch wants Morocco-Spain relations to be a model for his country’s ties with other countries in North Africa.

Rabat - King Felipe VI has said he is satisfied with the improvement of diplomatic ties between Morocco and Spain under the new roadmap of cooperation.

“With Morocco, we have started a new phase which allows us to move forward on a stronger and more solid basis,” the Spanish monarch said during the 8th Conference of Spanish Ambassadors Accredited Abroad on Monday and Tuesday.

Spain and Morocco announced the new roadmap of cooperation in April 2022, following a year-long diplomatic crisis triggered by Madrid’s decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for hospitalization in April 2021.

Protesting what it saw as Spain's hostility to its territorial integrity, Morocco recalled its ambassador for consultation. 

Following months of negotiations and dialogue, the two countries announced the opening of “a new phase of relations” in April of last year during the visit of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Morocco, where he met with King Mohammed VI.

The visit came a month following Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

The roadmap also echoed Rabat and Madrid’s determination to improve relations and cooperation at all levels, including trade, security, counterterrorism, and irregular migration.

For King Felipe VI, Spain’s ties with the countries of the Mediterranean and the Arab world are “as distinguished as they are priorities in terms of geography, history, and culture.”

He explained: “This region is the basis of our security and prosperity. This is why it is very important to strengthen the interest in the Southern Neighbourhood.” 

The Spanish monarch presented the depth of his country's relationship with Morocco as the model for Spain as it looks to nurture good diplomatic ties with other countries in North Africa, including Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia. 

Morocco and Spain will hold a high-level meeting on February 1-2 in Rabat, with the event convening senior officials from the two countries to discuss boosting diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation.

In his remarks at the 8th Conference of Spanish Ambassadors, King Felipe VI also announced that he and his wife Letizia will make a trip to Angola in February.

“It will be our first state visit to a country in sub-Saharan Africa and we are therefore looking forward to it with special enthusiasm,” he said.

The Spanish monarch stressed the importance of Africa in Spain's diplomatic outreach.  Africa, King Felipe VI said, is “ a vast and plural continent with infinite needs and full of possibilities to cooperate… it is a continent of opportunity and the future, which requires waving relationships of lasting trust and genuine interest in shared progress.”

link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353483/king-felipe-vi-morocco-spain-ties-are-progressing-on-stronger-basis