Spain Backs Morocco’s Sahara Autonomy Plan in Diplomatic Shift

In this letter dated March 14, Pedro Sanchez expressed his support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara and his willingness to build a "new relationship" with Morocco. But at no point did he mention the situation of Ceuta and Melilla, 20minutos, which publishes the letter in full, is surprised.

"Majesty:

I have the honor to address Your Majesty to convey some important ideas for the new relations between the Kingdoms of Morocco and Spain.

Our two countries are inextricably linked by a common history, geography, interests and friendship. I am convinced that the destinies of our two peoples are also linked, the prosperity of Morocco is linked to that of Spain and vice versa. Our goal must be to build a new relationship, based on transparency and permanent communication, mutual respect and respect for the agreements signed by the two parties and refraining from any unilateral action, in order to be up to the importance of all that we share and to prevent future crises between our countries.

I recognize the importance of the Western Sahara issue for Morocco and Morocco’s serious and credible efforts, within the framework of the United Nations, to find a mutually acceptable solution. In this sense, Spain considers that the Moroccan autonomy proposal presented in 2007 is the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving this dispute.

In this new context, you have my guarantee that Spain will act with the absolute transparency that corresponds to a great friend and ally. I assure you that Spain will always keep its commitments and its word.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet Your Majesty as soon as possible to renew and deepen the privileged relationship between our two brotherly countries, in a spirit of close dialogue and to reiterate our determination to face common challenges together, including cooperation in the management of migratory flows in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, always acting in a spirit of full cooperation and restoring full normality in the movement of people and goods, for the benefit of our peoples. All these actions will be carried out in order to guarantee the stability and territorial integrity of our two countries.

Similarly, I hope that our two ministers will jointly set a date for the visit of the Minister of European Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation to Rabat, in order to begin working to build together this new relationship between our two countries.

Please accept, Your Majesty, the expression of my most distinguished sentiments."