Morocco, Spain Satisfied with New Dynamics of Bilateral Relations

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and president of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez, expressed, Thursday in Rabat, their satisfaction with the new dynamics of relations between Morocco and Spain. Speaking at a joint press briefing at the end of the 12th session of the Moroccan-Spanish High Level Meeting which they co-chaired, Akhannouch and Sanchez stressed that the agreements reached, covering several areas, reflect this renewed momentum, initiated last April following the visit of the president of the Spanish government to Morocco at the invitation of HM King Mohammed VI. In this regard, Akhannouch said that this high-level meeting reflects the historical relations and ties of friendship, as well as the bilateral strategic partnership, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and HM King Felipe VI. He expressed his great satisfaction with the renewed momentum of bilateral relations and the strong commitment of the two kingdoms to raise them to higher levels, welcoming the importance of the Spanish delegation that took part in this session. The theme chosen for this session, namely “a privileged partnership, resolutely oriented towards the future”, illustrates the common will to devote a permanent transparent dialogue, based on trust and mutual esteem in the treatment of all issues of common interest, he said. He also expressed his satisfaction with Spain’s position on the first national cause, which supports the autonomy plan in the Moroccan Sahara, presented by the Kingdom in 2007 and considers it to be the most serious, realistic and credible basis for the settlement of this artificial conflict, stressing furthermore the determination of both countries to strengthen their strategic partnership. He concluded that the telephone conversation between the Sovereign and the president of the Spanish government opens wide prospects for relations between the two kingdoms. For his part, Sanchez noted that this exceptional session marks an important step for both countries and lays the foundation for a long-term relationship. This session, the first in eight years, was crowned by the signing of an unprecedented number of agreements, in addition to the consolidation of a new advanced economic partnership, he said. Expressing the interest of Spain to invest in strategic sectors such as agribusiness, tourism and railroads in Morocco, he welcomed the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of culture, education, vocational training and higher education.