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Doha – King Felipe VI of Spain gave remarks on the importance of strengthening ties with Morocco within a framework of friendship and good neighborliness, during his address at the 9th conference of Spanish ambassadors on January 13-14.
“We will continue to advance our bilateral agenda with Morocco, a country with which we must pursue our collaboration in the spirit of friendship and cooperation governing our special neighborly relations,” the Spanish monarch stated.
The king touched upon the significance of strategic alliances in Spanish foreign policy, particularly within forums such as the 5+5 dialogue and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), noting their key role in strengthening regional cooperation and providing solutions to shared challenges.
The monarch’s statements come amid flourishing trade relations between the two Mediterranean neighbors. In the first ten months of 2024, Madrid’s exports to Rabat reached €10.84 billion, while imports amounted to €8.22 billion – marking record highs with year-on-year growth of 6.8% for exports and 9.1% for imports.
These robust commercial ties reflect a strengthening bilateral relationship that saw a significant turning point in March 2022, when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly backed Morocco’s Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal, signaling a shift in Madrid’s position on the territorial dispute.
The relationship between Spain and Morocco extends beyond trade, reflecting centuries of shared history and modern-day challenges.
This partnership is apparent in various fields, from counterterrorism and immigration control to major sporting events, as both nations, along with Portugal, prepare to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Most recently, Madrid allocated €2.5 million to support Rabat’s border control efforts, providing surveillance equipment and vehicles to enhance security operations.
Notably, Moroccan authorities have played a crucial role in supporting Spanish investigations, particularly in counterterrorism efforts.
This cooperation became evident through their assistance to Spanish authorities during the 2004 Madrid bombings investigation.
In a major humanitarian operation, King Mohammed VI deployed a contingent of 120 personnel and 30 specialized trucks to Valencia following the DANA storm, working tirelessly for two months to help Spanish communities recover from devastating floods.
Prime Minister Sánchez publicly thanked Morocco for this crucial assistance.
Both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar have maintained strong security cooperation. The North African country’s efforts have shown results, with authorities preventing 48,963 irregular migration attempts and dismantling 210 criminal networks involved in human trafficking by November 2024.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares recently addressed delays in reopening customs posts in Ceuta and Melilla, stating both countries had planned for a January 8 launch. He talked about the need for ongoing technical refinements by both customs authorities.
King Felipe VI also expressed support for boosting cooperation with Africa, welcoming the new Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028, which he described as a clear roadmap for strengthening ties with the continent.
The Spanish government is currently preparing to transfer Western Sahara’s airspace management to its southern neighbor, a significant development in bilateral cooperation that would shift control from the Spanish air traffic control center in the Canary Islands to Moroccan authorities.
Read also: Spain, Morocco at Peak Bilateral Cooperation, Says Spanish FM
