While Morocco savors its diplomatic exploits, Spain fears losing its influence with its neighbor. Russia’s relations with the kingdom and the rapprochement with Israel seem not to please the Iberian officials.
The House of Representatives has initiated a temporary exploratory mission in the Kingdom’s consulates abroad. It made it possible to record the complaints of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) about certain administrative procedures.
The normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel continues to provoke strong reactions among some Moroccans or Islamists defending the Palestinian cause. Kader Abderrahim, author of Geopolitics of Morocco, insists that "we cannot put the Palestinian issue before Moroccan national interests".
The Agreement on the Abolition of Visa for Holders of Ordinary Passports (valid) signed between Morocco and Burkina Faso on October 23, 2020 has entered into force. In a press release, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Burkinabe citizens are now exempt from the entry visa formality to the Kingdom.
King Felipe VI of Spain greeted his country’s relations with Morocco before the diplomatic corps accredited in Madrid. The sovereign also expressed the wish to see "the agenda of meetings with Morocco resume soon".
The Al Adl Wal Ihsane movement protested against the arrival in Morocco of the Israeli chargé d’affaires, David Govrin. The Jamaa calls for the concerted efforts of the living forces of Morocco "to confront the danger of Zionist normalization".
With the takeover of Joe Biden, a few voices were raised hoping that the new US president would review his position on the US recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara. This will not be the case, the new US president will not touch it.
The current ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Islamic Republic of Iran is expected to hold the same position in Rabat. Véronique Petit, according to some Belgian media, will come to replace the current ambassador, Marc Trenteseau.
A few days after the reopening of Israel’s liaison office in Morocco , the kingdom is about to follow suit. Abderrahim Bayoud could be appointed to serve as chargé d’affaires at the head of this office.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha González Laya, presented on Tuesday, at the Spanish Council of Ministers, the Strategy for Spain’s External Action for the period 2021/2024. This document, which will also be presented to the two chambers of the Spanish Parliament, emphasizes the importance of setting up "specific cooperation plans" with Morocco in areas of common interest.
For "budgetary reasons and reciprocity", the Republic of Burundi announced on Saturday the closure of its Consulate General in Laâyoune.
The Israeli government has approved the submission of the agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel to the Knesset for ratification.