Spain’s PM Sánchez Reaffirms Morocco as Key Strategic Partner Amid Export Growth

Morocco, due to its "geographical proximity", is a "natural partner of Spain with which it maintains strong commercial and investment ties," the document states, which is of particular importance in this period of diplomatic crisis between the two countries due to the reception of Brahim Ghali in Spain.

More than a natural partner, Morocco is a strategic partner of Spain. This is evidenced by the figures published in the document on Spanish exports. In 2019, 45.5% of these exports to Africa were destined for Morocco, the document points out, adding that in 2020 this rate rose to 47.3% and to 50.1% in January 2021.

"In addition, there are 781 Spanish companies with more than 10% of the capital of Moroccan law companies and 674 Moroccan law companies that are subsidiaries of Spanish companies," the report informs, recalling that "the two countries have strongly interdependent economies in key sectors such as energy and value chains in the automotive and textile sectors, among others."

The role of Morocco as a gateway to Africa has not been overlooked in the document presented by Sánchez. "Morocco is a priority for Spanish interests in terms of security and immigration," the report notes, recalling the high rate of illegal immigration in Spain, "especially in the Canary Islands," also calling for better collaboration of the kingdom’s authorities in the fight against illegal immigration and terrorism.

The diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain, born after Spain’s reception of the Polisario Front leader, Brahim Ghali, for "humanitarian reasons," is far from over. On Thursday, the Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, accused Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya of making "inappropriate" statements and presenting "inaccurate facts," alluding to the "mutual respect" that would be at stake in the current crisis, according to Laya. "Morocco takes note of this and will act accordingly," Benyaich said.