Morocco Seeks Airspace Control Over Western Sahara in Talks with Spain

The Spanish-Moroccan commission that will look into the delimitation of the Canary and Moroccan waters could start its work in June in Madrid, believes El Español, recalling that Morocco wants to offer markets to Spanish wind power companies in exchange for the recognition of the waters surrounding the Sahara and the control of its airspace, currently managed by Spain.

Enaire, in charge of the management of Spanish air navigation, has signed cooperation protocols with ONDA, its Moroccan counterpart, in order to coordinate the transfer of aircraft between the two airspaces. "These agreements are of a political nature and are signed between air navigation service providers, without the intervention of the civil aviation authorities of the States," the Spanish government had specified in 2017.

To read: Morocco and Spain to Discuss Canary Islands Maritime Border in June Talks

Morocco is ready to make the largest industrial zone in Dakhla available to the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) to facilitate the export of Spanish products to Africa and strengthen Spain’s economic capacities. Spanish companies will benefit from concessions to carry out fishing activities, install fish farms, or explore hydrocarbons on the territory and coast of the Sahara.

The Moroccan Consulate General in Las Palmas, Ahmed Moussa, sent a letter to the presidents of the chambers of commerce this month to invite Canarian businessmen to the Economic and Commercial Forum on business opportunities in the Dakhla region, which will take place on June 20 and 21 in Dakhla.