Morocco Signals Willingness to Mend Ties with Spain, King Sets Conditions

"With sincere optimism, we hope to continue to work with the Spanish government and its president, His Excellency Pedro Sanchez, in order to inaugurate an unprecedented stage in the relations between our two countries," said the sovereign in the speech addressed to the nation on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the revolution of the King and the people. King Mohammed VI specified that these relations will henceforth have to be based on trust, transparency, mutual consideration and respect for commitments.

Acknowledging that Morocco has indeed changed but not in the direction desired by its detractors, the sovereign stressed that the kingdom is committed to building solid, constructive and balanced relations, particularly with neighboring countries. "It is this same logic that guides our choices in the relationship we currently maintain with our neighbor Spain. Certainly, these relations have recently gone through an unprecedented crisis that has seriously shaken mutual trust and raised several questions about their future. Nevertheless, we have worked with the Spanish side, in the greatest calm, the utmost clarity and a spirit of responsibility," he added.

King Mohammed VI also stated that he has personally and directly followed the dialogue process and the evolution of discussions with Madrid. "The goal 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 said, noting that "the same spirit underlies the partnership and solidarity relations between Morocco and France, supported by the solid relations of friendship and mutual esteem that unite" him with its president, Emmanuel Macron.