EU officials welcome Royal Speech, commend depth of Morocco–EU ties
Two senior officials of the European Union have welcomed the contents of the speech delivered Friday evening by King Mohammed VI and commended the depth of Morocco’s ties with the Union.
In this vein, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined the importance of the strategic ties between Morocco and the EU.
“Morocco and the European Union are two strategic partners and it is important to maintain this relationship and consolidate it”, she said Saturday at a joint press briefing at the military air base of Torrejon de Ardoz with the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez.
To a question on the announcement by King Mohammed VI of the end of the diplomatic crisis with Spain, Von der Leyen underlined the need for both Spain and the European Union to have good relations with Morocco.
Relations between Morocco and Spain have been in turmoil for some months, but in the speech he delivered on Friday evening on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, King Mohammed VI heralded the end of the crisis, saying that Morocco looks forward to continuing to work with the Spanish government and with the Spanish Prime Minister to usher in a new, unprecedented phase in the relations between the two countries.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on his part welcomed the content of the Royal speech and praised the depth of ties between Morocco and the EU.
“We would like to welcome the statements made by the King of Morocco (…) Morocco is a partner for Spain and for the European Union and we indeed wish to be able to continue to be committed to deepen this partnership which is essential between Morocco and the European Union”, underlined Charles Michel during the joint press conference.
“This partnership is essential between Morocco and the EU in various areas, not only with regard to the migration issue, but also other matters linked in particular to economic development and cooperation”, said the President of the European Council.
“We believe that dialogue, partnership and engagement are useful for both sides,” he added.
In his speech, the King said that Morocco-Spain relations should be based on trust, transparency, mutual respect and the fulfillment of obligations.
The Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez welcomed the content of the Royal Speech and thanked the King for his vision for a bilateral partnership based on mutual trust and understanding.
“Indeed, it is on trust, respect and present and future collaboration that we can build stronger relationships than the ones we currently have,” said Sanchez, while stressing the uniqueness and the depth of the ties binding Morocco and Spain.
“We have always seen Morocco as a strategic partner of Spain, but also of the whole of the EU,” he said, pointing out that “Morocco and Spain are allies, neighbors and friends.”
