Spain and Morocco open "a new stage" in their relationship
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a meeting with King Mohammed VI of Morocco as part of his official visit to Morocco, at the Royal Palace in Rabat, on April 7, 2022. AFP - BORJA PUIG DE LA BELLACASA
Text by: RFI Follow
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It was a highly anticipated meeting after months of diplomatic crisis.
Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister was received Thursday evening in Rabat in audience by King Mohamed VI before an
iftar
, the break of the Ramadan fast, offered in his honor.
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According to the Moroccan royal cabinet, the two men reiterated their desire to open a new stage in relations between the two countries.
Madrid and Rabat agreed on Thursday to implement
“a roadmap covering all areas of the partnership”
.
Energy cooperation, exchanges, investments…
There are many areas
.
Spain is Morocco's leading trading partner.
The two countries also have issues of common interest such as illegal immigration.
A central question for Madrid, which now hopes to be able to count on the cooperation of Morocco because Rabat was suspected last year of using the migratory weapon to put pressure on the Spanish authorities.
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To read also
: Morocco-Spain: why this sudden and massive arrival of migrants in Ceuta?
Western Sahara
But to allow this new start between the two countries, the Spanish Prime Minister had to
review his position on Western Sahara.
"Pedro Sanchez insisted on reaffirming Spain's position on the Sahara issue, considering the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute"
, indicates the Moroccan royal cabinet.
A change of foot denounced Thursday by the Spanish Chamber of Deputies which regretted the abandonment of the historical position of neutrality of Spain in this file.
On March 19, Algeria
denounced a reversal of Madrid
and consequently decided to recall its ambassador to Spain.
After the discussions, the Spanish Prime Minister considered in front of the journalists that these talks were "
a historic moment
".
In a joint statement, the Cherifian sovereign and the head of the Spanish government agreed to “
inaugurate an unprecedented stage in relations between the two countries
”.
Reopening of borders
"
One of the first objectives
" of this new relationship "
will be to restore the circulation of goods and merchandise at the border crossings of Ceuta and Melilla
", Spanish enclaves located on the northern coast of Morocco, Mr. Sanchez told AFP. end of his brief trip.
Morocco had stopped this cross-border trade, considered as smuggling, in 2019.
“
The maritime passenger links between the two countries will be restored immediately and gradually
” until the complete opening, details the joint declaration.
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