Spain-Morocco Relations Thaw After Diplomatic Crisis, Former Foreign Minister Says

In an interview with Radio Medi1, Miguel Angel Moratinos considers the warming of relations between Morocco and Spain as "very good news. Two neighboring countries united by history, by geography must continue to develop a privileged relationship, which was the case until this crisis that began last year."

The rift between Madrid and Rabat was born in April 2021 following the "discreet" and "under a false identity" reception in Spain for emergency medical treatment of the Polisario leader, Brahim Ghali. But on Friday, March 18, Rabat and Madrid decided to start over on new bases, following a statement from the Spanish government publicly supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. According to the message sent by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain believes that the autonomy plan for the Sahara proposed by Morocco is "the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute."

"The two countries have agreed to cross this historic milestone. We are in a positive phase," said Moratinos. "Peace and stability are two sought-after values at a time when there are conflicts and crises in other parts of the world. This is a positive news that we must, of course, be pleased about," he insisted, assuring that the two countries are now called upon to "work and develop all their potential."

During his intervention, he also mentioned the migration issue that had caused the hardening of the crisis between the two countries. Moratinos believes that "the interests of each partner must be taken into account," adding that it is necessary to "further strengthen this bilateral cooperation on migration issues." He added that "Spain and Morocco are the link between the African continent and the European continent, and have a major role and responsibility to establish a new strategic relationship between the two continents."

Recalled for consultation in May 2021, the Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benaïch, has returned to her post to continue working to strengthen relations between the two countries.