Spain applauds Morocco’s election to UNHRC Presidency

The Spanish government, represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares, expressed its satisfaction with Morocco’s election to the presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

“We are pleased that a friendly and neighboring country occupies this international position,” Albares said in an exclusive interview with Spanish outlet El Periódico, published on Monday.

Morocco secured the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council for the year 2024 following a vote held last Wednesday in Geneva. Out of the forty-seven members of the Council, Morocco garnered support from 30 nations, surpassing the 17 votes received by its challenger, South Africa.

According to the Spanish Foreign Minister, Morocco holds a strategic partnership with Spain, and he commended the “excellence” of the relations between the two nations, built on a foundation of “friendship and trust.”

The significance of this diplomatic achievement was underscored by the recent High-Level Meeting (HLM) that took place on February 1 and 2 in Rabat. This meeting was marked by the signing of what Albares described as the “largest number of agreements in the history of these meetings,” emphasizing its tremendous success in addressing crucial issues.

Reflecting on the diplomatic roadmap between Spain and Morocco, Albares highlighted the rarity of such cooperation between neighboring countries. He noted that since the adoption of this new roadmap, bilateral relations have experienced significant development in various domains.

The Spanish Foreign Minister specifically cited notable achievements in combating irregular immigration and terrorism, as well as an increase in trade exchanges. He expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts between Spain and Morocco played a crucial role in preventing a potentially high influx of irregular migrants into Spain.