Spain, Morocco have laid foundations for 21st century Relationship – Interior Minister

Spain and Morocco, two friendly countries, have laid the foundations of a “21st century relationship”, stressed the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

A “framework of bilateral relations of the twenty-first century” opens today ending a period of “misunderstanding between two fraternal, friendly, cooperative and truly loyal countries,” said Saturday, Grande-Marlaska in statements to the media.

Morocco and Spain have established “a 21st century relationship between two countries that have always been close to each other,” said the Spanish official, adding that the visit to Morocco of the President of the Government Pedro Sanchez, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, has allowed the “restoration” of full bilateral relations.

Rabat and Madrid will deepen their cooperation in the areas of “security and immigration”, but also “transversally” to establish a more comprehensive partnership encompassing infrastructure, industry, culture, education and vocational training, said Grande-Marlaska.

“I can say that relations with Morocco have reached an absolutely important level of understanding,” he added.

The Spanish media have also largely commented on the new era ushered in relations with Morocco.

Analysts and editorialists stressed the importance of the decisions made public in the joint statement issued following talks between King Mohammed VI and the President of the Spanish Government, in particular with regard to the constitution of working groups in various areas, the normalization of the movement of people and goods and the holding of the next high-level meeting before the end of the year.

Pedro Sanchez’s visit to Morocco sealed the beginning of a new relationship between Spain and Morocco, putting an end to the long months of diplomatic crisis and political tension between the two neighbors, and kicking off a new phase between the two countries.

The ambitious roadmap adopted in Rabat will consolidate the new relationship between two strategic partners, noted the media, adding that Sanchez had opened a new “historic” relationship with Morocco.