Spanish Foreign Minister: Morocco Relations Advancing, Results Expected Soon

"Building a new relationship involves reviewing the various areas of cooperation. This is what we are doing," said José Manuel Albares, acknowledging that this painstaking work requires time and will not be achieved "perhaps at the pace of Twitter, but certainly with much more depth and strategy" and will produce results "very soon".

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When asked whether Spain is also concerned by the announced reopening of Moroccan air borders on February 7, the Spanish minister said the Moroccan government has given no details on this subject. However, he hopes that the Marhaba Operation will take place this year, after two years of suspension.

See: Spain Approves Morocco’s Request to Import LNG Through Spanish Infrastructure

The head of Spanish diplomacy did not wish to comment on the decision of the Spanish Executive to authorize Morocco to import gas via Spain. The Ministry of Ecological Transition has confirmed having responded favorably to Morocco’s request to "accompany it in guaranteeing its energy security on the basis of trade relations".

See: Morocco Demands Spain’s Support on Western Sahara for Diplomatic Thaw

This decision came in the midst of an open crisis since the entry in April last year of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, into a hospital in Logroño. Moreover, Spain is still awaiting the return to his post of the Moroccan ambassador to Madrid, recalled for consultations in Rabat since May. For its part, Morocco demands "much more clarity" from Spain regarding its position on the Sahara.