Spanish and Moroccan Foreign Ministers to Hold Virtual Talks Amid UN Assembly

Minister Albares, present in New York to attend the 76th United Nations General Assembly, will videoconference with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, who has remained in Morocco due to the ongoing formation of a new government, reports EFE.

To read: Spain’s New Foreign Minister Plans Morocco Visit to Mend Diplomatic Ties

Since taking office in mid-July, Minister Albares has still not made his first official visit to Morocco, although Rabat is traditionally the first destination for Spanish Foreign Ministers. Minister Albares had stated that diplomacy requires "time and discretion" and that the ongoing negotiations with Morocco aim, beyond the resumption of relations, to define new bases of cooperation. Spanish diplomatic sources rightly recall the clearly expressed desire of King Mohammed VI in his speech of August 20 to open a new era in its relations with Spain.

To read: Spain’s New Foreign Minister Prioritizes Strengthening Ties with Morocco

Spain and Morocco have experienced a serious diplomatic crisis opened after the admission of the Polisario Front leader to a hospital in Logroño. This was followed by a migration crisis in Ceuta which was invaded by thousands of migrants.

Albares will also meet his Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, in New York. Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco on August 25, after several decades of hostility, mainly due to the Sahara conflict.