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(Ecofin Agency) – After having recorded their reconciliation in 2022 after a diplomatic quarrel, Rabat and Madrid are endeavoring to consolidate the foundations of their new strategic partnership, and are inaugurating a new cycle in triangular relations between Morocco-Spain-Africa by supporting the gas pipeline project between the Sherifian Kingdom and Nigeria.
In Rabat, King Mohammed VI and Pedro Sanchez meet for the second time, since the end of the diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain in March 2022. Announced by the Spanish presidency, this visit by the Spanish official, the first after his recent re-election, underlines “ the deep ties that unite the two countries “, indicates the press release from the Spanish government, describing Morocco as “ neighboring country, friend, and a strategic ally of Spain in all areas “. Enough to illustrate the commitment made by Pedro Sanchez in the letter addressed to the King of Morocco, on March 14, 2022, with a view to inaugurating a new phase in relations between the two countries.
Welcomed by his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch, the Spanish Prime Minister was accompanied by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, Emma Aparici. On his arrival at the royal palace in Rabat, the King of Morocco greeted the President of the Spanish government and the members of the delegation accompanying him, as shown in the first official images. On the menu for this audience with the Cherifian sovereign: the Sahara issue, the Moroccan-Spanish road map, and the co-organization of the 2030 World Cup.
Two years of all-out cooperation
What must be remembered regarding the Western Sahara issue: nothing has changed in relation to Spain’s rallying to the Moroccan position and the end of Spanish neutrality, which allowed this outcome in relations between Madrid and Rabat two years ago. In this wake, King Mohammed VI thus “ thanked Spain for this new constructive and important position », Indicates the press release from the royal cabinet, this Wednesday February 21. It should be remembered that Madrid described the Moroccan plan as “ the most serious, realistic and credible basis for the resolution of this dispute ».
If relations between Algiers and Madrid are described as tumultuous by many observers, relations between Rabat and Madrid are in good shape. Indeed, the implementation of the road map adopted in 2022 is progressing well, according to the head of Spanish diplomacy, describing the first assessment as “ very positive », in an interview given to the Moroccan press agency, on December 13, 2023, during his visit to Morocco. A visit which aimed to “ relaunch » the agenda by placing Morocco as “ the first priority » of Spanish foreign policy in this new legislature.
With trade worth 20 billion euros, an increase of 40% since 2022, Spain has become the first customer and supplier of Morocco, which today is Spain’s third economic and commercial partner. outside the EU, after the United Kingdom and the United States. To go further, Spain is preparing to increase its investments in Morocco to 45 billion euros by 2050. This figure announced by Pedro Sanchez reflects the desire of the Spanish side to explore the opportunities offered by this relationship renewed, particularly in key sectors such as water desalination, agriculture, tourism, rail transport. The official took this opportunity to express his satisfaction with the results of migration cooperation, a very important subject for Madrid. Supporting figures. The number of illegal entries into Spain from Ceuta and Melilla fell by 80% in the first quarter of 2023, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry. In total, Morocco prevented 75,184 people from migrating illegally to Europe in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 6% compared to the previous year.
However, the rapprochement between the two countries is taking place at another level this time, in view of Spain’s interest in the strategic initiatives launched by the monarch, namely the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline and the aimed at promoting access of the Sahel States to the Atlantic, a sign of the importance of this meeting.
Another aspect of the discussions between Mohammed VI and Pedro Sanchez: the joint organization – with Portugal – of the 2030 Football World Cup, which for Rabat constitutes “ an additional lever for strengthening bilateral relations “. A challenge certainly, but above all an opportunity, particularly for the Spanish side, which wishes “ explore cooperation and investment opportunities with a view to bringing this exciting project to fruition », Underlines the Spanish manager. This special edition will mark the centenary of one of the most anticipated competitions on the planet. This candidacy of the Morocco-Spain-Portugal trio, announced last March, was also at the heart of the last annual speech delivered by Mohammed VI on the occasion of his accession to the Throne. The ambition of the Cherifian sovereign, who visibly attaches great importance to this issue, is that this edition “ inscribes its mark in History “. Due to its historical dimension, Mohammed VI sees “ a bridge between two continents and two civilizations: Africa and Europe “. This intercontinental formula will, however, require an unprecedented logistical arrangement.
What if Paris followed suit in Madrid?
While the relations uniting Morocco and Spain are today experiencing “ best moment in their history “, as the former president of the Spanish government, José Luis Zapatero, points out, French diplomacy is beginning to operate ” a change of approach », after a long period of cold, suggesting a gradual warming of the relationship between Rabat and Paris. And as proof: the reception reserved by the French first lady for princesses Lalla Meryem, Lalla Asmaa and Lalla Hasnaa, which followed a telephone conversation between President Macron and King Mohammed VI. However, a confidential French letter echoes an upcoming visit by Stéphane Séjourné, head of French diplomacy, scheduled for February 25. A major issue for this French minister responsible for building a new political agenda with Morocco, who has many expectations, particularly in the Sahara issue, the prism through which Rabat views its international environment.
