King Felipe VI Urges Rebuilding Spain-Morocco Ties Amid Diplomatic Crisis

In his speech delivered on the occasion of the traditional reception held in honor of the diplomatic corps, and which was not attended by the Moroccan ambassador to Madrid, King Felipe VI stressed "the need" for Spain and Morocco to start a new bilateral relationship based on "stronger and more solid pillars". "We must find solutions to the problems that concern our peoples," he said.

"Our country will continue to make all necessary efforts to create and consolidate a common space of peace, stability and prosperity in the Maghreb," the Spanish monarch also said, alluding to the crisis between Algeria and Morocco, specifying that Spain wishes to "preserve and strengthen" its "sincere and respectful relations of friendship and cooperation" with these countries as well as all its Maghreb partners.

To read: Spain Seeks Diplomatic Discretion to Mend Strained Relations with Morocco

To recall, King Mohammed VI had already expressed on August 20 last, in his speech on the occasion of the Throne Feast, Morocco’s willingness to "inaugurate" a new era in relations with Spain. "The aim was not only to find a way out of this crisis, but also to seize the opportunity to redefine the foundations and parameters governing these relations," he had stated.

The serious diplomatic crisis between the two countries erupted after the entry in April of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, into a hospital in Logroño, Spain. A month later, Morocco recalled its ambassador to Madrid for consultations in Rabat. Since then, she has not returned to her post.