Morocco and Spain adopted a Joint Declaration at the end of the talks between King Mohammed VI and the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, who, invited by the Sovereign, visits the Kingdom as part of a new phase of association between both countries.

Here is the full text of this joint statement:

“At the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the President of the Government of Spain, HE Pedro Sánchez, made an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco on April 7, 2022.

During this visit, His Majesty the King and HE the President of the Government of Spain held an in-depth debate on bilateral relations.

At the end of these discussions, the following statement was adopted:

The letter addressed by the President of the Government of Spain, HE Pedro Sánchez, to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, on March 14, 2022, as well as the telephone conversation between the Sovereign and the President of the Government of Spain, on March 31 , opened a new page in relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Spain.

Morocco and Spain, aware of the magnitude and strategic importance of the ties that unite them and the legitimate aspirations for peace, security and prosperity of the two peoples, today begin the construction of a new stage in their bilateral relationship. Based on the principles of transparency, permanent dialogue, mutual respect, respect and implementation of the commitments and agreements signed by both parties, this new stage responds to the call of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to “inaugurate an unprecedented stage in relations between the two countries", and of His Majesty King Felipe VI to "walk together to materialize this new relationship." It also corresponds to the desire of the President of the Spanish Government, HE Pedro Sánchez, to “build a relationship on more solid foundations.” In this spirit, the two countries intend to establish a sustainable and ambitious roadmap.

The visit to Morocco by the President of the Spanish Government is an important moment to consolidate this roadmap and define the priorities of the next High Level Meeting to be held before the end of this year.

Based on this, the new roadmap includes the following elements:

  1. Spain recognizes the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco and Morocco's serious and credible efforts within the framework of the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution. For this reason, Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, as the most serious, realistic and credible basis to resolve this dispute.
  2. Matters of common interest will be dealt with in a spirit of trust and consultation, far from unilateral acts or fait accomplis.
  3. Full normalization of the movement of people and goods in an orderly manner will be restored, including appropriate provisions for customs and people control at land and sea level.
  4. Maritime passenger links between the two countries will be restored immediately and gradually until all frequencies are opened.
  5. Preparations for Operation Crossing the Straits/Marhaba will begin in the same perspective.
  6. The working group on the delimitation of maritime spaces on the Atlantic coast will be reactivated, in order to achieve concrete progress.
  7. Discussions will begin on airspace management.
  8. Cooperation in the field of migration will be relaunched and strengthened. The Spanish-Moroccan Permanent Group on Migration will meet soon.
  9. Coordination within the framework of the respective presidencies of the Rabat process, during the period 2022-2023, will be carried out in a way that highlights the exemplary cooperation between the two countries in this area, in favor of a comprehensive process and balance of the migratory phenomenon.
  10. Sectoral cooperation will be reactivated in all areas of common interest: economic, commercial, energy, industrial and cultural, among others.
  11. The facilitation of economic exchanges and ties between the two countries will be the subject of a meeting soon.
  12. The field of education, vocational training and higher education will be a priority in this new stage. For this, a specific working group will be created.
  13. Cultural cooperation will be strengthened. Within this framework, a sectoral working group will be established in the field of Culture and Sports. A new boost will be given to the Board of Trustees of the Tres Culturas Foundation.
  14. The activity reports of the meetings and Working Groups established or reactivated will be presented to the High Level Meeting.
  15. The two countries will begin exchanges on updating the 1991 Treaty of Good Neighborhood, Friendship and Cooperation, based on the principles, parameters and priorities that should guide their bilateral relations in the coming years.
  16. His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the President of the Government of Spain, HE Pedro Sánchez, will appoint a commission in charge of the implementation of this declaration, within a period of 3 months."

Source: InfoMediaire