Spain Explores Maritime Link Between Canary Islands and Morocco Amid Improved Relations

"This new stage of cooperation, transparency and absence of unilateral actions is beneficial for the Canary Islands," Albares said in response to a question from Nueva Canarias deputy Pedro Quevedo in Congress. For the minister, the roadmap adopted on April 7 in Rabat, following the meeting between Pedro Sanchez and King Mohammed VI, has "begun to bear fruit".

To read: New Maritime Route to Connect Morocco’s Tarfaya with Spain’s Canary Islands

In terms of advantages for the Canary Islands, the new relationship with Morocco offers the possibility "to establish, if we wish, maritime links between the Canary Islands and Morocco," Albares said, recalling that the Canarian president can also, upon request, make a visit to Morocco with a strong delegation of businessmen. It has also led to a 78.1% drop in migratory flows in April compared to January.

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

The minister also reassured that the Canary Islands will be "associated" with the process of delimiting territorial waters on the Atlantic coast which will start in June with the resumption of the Spanish-Moroccan working group. "The delimitation can only be done through agreements based on international maritime law," Albares said, calling on the Canarians to remain calm and assuring them that the government will do everything to preserve their interests.

Albares recalled that he will be visiting the archipelago next week and intends to propose that the Canary Islands now be the "platform for Spain and Europe towards Morocco," insisting that this will be "beneficial for the Canary Islands".