This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress
Between Morocco and Spain, the year 2024 was punctuated by the intensification of the bilateral partnership at all levels and the confirmation of the strategic nature of the links uniting the two neighboring countries, based on mutual respect, friendship and solidarity.
During the year which is coming to an end, this strategic and multidimensional partnership has continued to be renewed thanks to a sincere desire of the two Kingdoms to strengthen their cooperation in different areas and to make the most of the joint organization of the 2030 World Cup with Portugal.
On the political level, aware of the centrality of the question of the territorial integrity of Morocco, the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, once again reaffirmed the constructive position of his country on the question of the Moroccan Sahara.
The audience granted to him by King Mohammed VI during 2024 was an opportunity for the head of the Spanish executive to reiterate his country’s position, contained in the Joint Declaration of April 2022, considering the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as “the most serious, realistic and credible basis” for the settlement of the artificial conflict created around the Moroccan Sahara.
Mr. Sanchez’s visit to Morocco on February 21, 2024, in fact, gave new impetus to the action plan aimed at giving substance to the multidimensional and multifaceted cooperation linking the two countries, thus contributing to the consolidation of their strategic partnership based on solidarity, mutual trust and absolute loyalty.
In Madrid, it is emphasized that this strategic partnership will strengthen the already very close Moroccan-Spanish relations in all areas, whether economic, cultural and academic exchanges, or the fluid police and judicial cooperation which has proven in terms of security and the fight against terrorism, cross-border crimes and illegal immigration.
“Morocco is a key partner in the fight against terrorism, in the dismantling of jihadist cells and in the fight against irregular immigration, in addition to its importance for the Spanish economic fabric,” declared the head of the Spanish diplomacy, José Manuel Albares.
A way of confirming the consistency and intensity of exchanges between the two Kingdoms, as well as the solidity of the human bonds of solidarity between the Moroccan and Spanish people.
In the wake of this exceptional dynamic that bilateral relations are experiencing, Morocco was one of the first countries to provide its support and demonstrate its solidarity with Spain following the floods which recently affected several localities in the south of the country.
Moroccan teams were urgently deployed to support relief efforts in the affected areas, a mobilization which illustrates the clear desire of the Kingdom, in accordance with the high instructions of the King, to come to the aid of the victims to deal with this tragedy.
In recognition of this solidarity, the highest Spanish officials, including the President of the Government, thanked Morocco for its support for relief efforts in areas affected by the floods that affected the Valencia region.
This outpouring of solidarity with Spain was echoed in the ranks of the Moroccan community established in Spain, which reacted with exemplary mobilization to participate in relief operations in the disaster regions.
On the economic front, 2024 was marked by an intensification of trade. Spain has confirmed its position as Morocco’s leading trading partner, with a constantly increasing trade volume.
Trade between the two countries exceeds 21 billion euros, and more than 17,000 Spanish companies export their products to Morocco.
On the sports side, the year 2024 ends in apotheosis with the official designation of Morocco, Spain and Portugal as host countries of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
