- Rabat Calls for Dialogue, Mutual Respect and Facts, Warns Against Using Morocco as a Political Pawn in Domestic Spanish Disputes
RABAT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates has outlined the latest developments in Morocco-Spain relations, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to a relationship based on good-neighbourly ties, political understanding, economic partnership, security cooperation and mutual respect.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Ministry stressed that Morocco has sovereignly chosen to build a strategic relationship with Spain, grounded in geographical proximity and shared interests. It said the current framework of bilateral relations reached a defining milestone with the Joint Declaration of April 7, 2022, following the meeting between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The declaration, according to the Ministry, opened a new chapter in bilateral relations based on mutual respect, mutual trust, sustained dialogue and the pursuit of a mutually beneficial partnership.
Strong Economic and Security Cooperation
The Ministry emphasized that this approach has enabled Morocco and Spain to focus proactively on areas of common interest while addressing differences through calm, constructive and respectful dialogue, rather than through unilateral actions or attempts to create faits accomplis.
The results, it said, have been particularly visible in the economic and security fields.
Spain has become Morocco’s leading economic partner, while Morocco ranks as Spain’s second-largest trading partner outside the European Union, reflecting the depth and growing importance of economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Security cooperation has also produced tangible results, the Ministry noted, including joint efforts that have helped save lives and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks. It stressed that Moroccan security forces have at times paid a heavy price in carrying out these operations, including casualties and material losses.
Morocco Calls for Fact-Based Approach to Migration Issues
On migration, the Ministry reaffirmed that cooperation between Morocco and Spain has traditionally been coordinated and effective, while acknowledging the need for a comprehensive investigation into the tragic events of last July.
Such an investigation, it said, should establish the facts, determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, identify any possible interference or manipulation and ensure that similar events do not occur again.
The Ministry urged all sides to move beyond political controversy and rhetoric and focus on several fundamental questions concerning the management of migration cases.
It questioned why accusations continue to be directed at Morocco when, according to the statement, no evidence, facts or reports have established the involvement of Moroccan authorities.
It also questioned why irregular migrants have not been returned despite Morocco’s official commitment to readmit them, and why unaccompanied minors remain separated from their families despite Morocco’s urgent requests for their return.
According to the Ministry, answers to these questions should be sought from the relevant Spanish authorities rather than Morocco.
Rabat Condemns Domestic Politicisation of Morocco-Spain Relations
The Moroccan government also expressed concern over what it described as the continued exploitation of Morocco by certain Spanish political and media circles for domestic political purposes.
The Ministry said it was particularly regrettable that established political parties with extensive governing experience had become involved in what it characterized as an environment where populist escalation and political rhetoric risk overshadowing reason and common sense.
It further expressed concern over initiatives by respected legislative and judicial institutions that, in Morocco’s view, could contribute to tensions rather than strengthen constructive bilateral relations.
The statement warned that reducing complex issues to simplistic narratives and replacing objective analysis with accusatory rhetoric could contribute to a climate of fear and mistrust, ultimately harming both countries.
Morocco Rejects Role as Political Scapegoat
The Ministry made clear that Morocco will not accept being used as a pre-election political pawn or as a scapegoat in domestic political disputes.
It stressed that Morocco-Spain relations are too strategically important to be subjected to short-term political calculations, particularly given the two countries’ geographical proximity and extensive economic, security and human ties.
“Geographical Proximity Is an Immutable Reality”
Concluding its statement, the Ministry emphasized that geographical proximity between Morocco and Spain is an immutable reality.
The challenge, it argued, lies with political leaders to transform this geographical reality into a strategic advantage through courage, vision, dialogue and responsible leadership.
Strategic foresight, the Ministry stressed, can turn geographical proximity into an asset for a shared future, while what it described as “strategic blindness” risks transforming that same proximity into a source of chronic mistrust and recurring tensions.
Morocco’s message, therefore, is one of continued engagement: preserving the strategic gains achieved since 2022, strengthening economic and security cooperation, addressing differences through dialogue and ensuring that bilateral relations remain anchored in mutual respect, trust and shared long-term interests.
BY: The Times Union
