Morocco and Spain Near Agreement on Maritime Border Delimitation

Towards new prospects for cooperation between Morocco and Spain, in the field of fishing, that of mining exploration? Some unofficial sources "have revealed leaks about an imminent agreement between Morocco and Spain on the delimitation of maritime borders", to organize the exploitation of maritime resources and to protect the natural wealth of the region, with a particular emphasis on the Tropic seamount, considered one of the richest mineral zones in the world, reports Alalam24.

If this agreement were to be signed, it could position Morocco as a key player in the global rare minerals market, thus strengthening its bargaining power vis-à-vis major economic partners such as China and Europe. It will not only strengthen the national sovereignty of the kingdom over its natural resources, but it will also contribute to accelerating economic development and strengthening the country’s ability to attract new investments in promising industrial sectors.

In 2020, Morocco had approved two laws relating to the delimitation of its territorial waters, including the waters around the archipelago in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Spain "up to the outer limit of the continental shelf". But the conflict with the Canary Islands on this issue has led the kingdom to postpone the entry into force of these laws in order to find an agreement with the archipelago, which wants the delimitation to be carried out in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Until now, Morocco and Spain have been struggling to agree on the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, the Chafarinas Islands, the Perejil islet and the Vélez de la Gomera and Al Hoceima rocks, claimed by the kingdom.