Rabat benefits from Spain’s overthrow of the Sahara: a bridge to Europe and South America

This Saturday, VI, in which Pedro Sánchez described Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy plan as “the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving differences”. A year has passed since the letter he wrote to Muhammad. A year of reconciliation between Spain and Morocco that managed to wipe out the worst diplomatic crisis in two decades. It is a time that also sets the stage for Moncloa’s return via the Sahara with each visit of the Spanish representatives to the country of the Maghreb. Since that letter, Sánchez went to Rabat twice He is expected to return soon for another meeting with Mohamed VI. In addition, the foreign ministers of Spain and Morocco met up to eight times a year.

Inside MoroccoThis new attitude of the Spanish Government, great breakthrough, especially because of Spain’s historical weight over the former colony. “Everything is clearer now,” says Amin Ater, editor-in-chief of Tel Quel, one of Morocco’s most popular magazines. He also defends Sánchez’s statement “it was a test of will and a big step to consolidate relations between the two countries”. According to the journalist, relations with Spain are very valuable because weight in Europe, especially in the context of the current tension between Rabat and Paris. He also argues that Morocco is diversifying and expanding its ties with South American countries and it is important for Spain to be a partner.

Praise for the Spanish position

Other Moroccan media, such as Digital Yabiladi,” The Spanish government continues to resist internal and external pressures“, referring to the reluctance of Algeria and Podemos to support Sánchez’s autonomy plan. The Moroccan government has argued several times that, thanks to Spain’s support of the Rabat plans, bilateral relations between the countries are entering a new phase. Exactly, in February during Sánchez’s term visit to Rabat High Level MeetingChief Executive, Aziz Akhannuh“Spain had courage and historical realism, and that’s something we highly praise,” he said.

At the summit, it was announced that there will be an increase in financing and facilities for Spanish companies that want to invest in Morocco. The North African country has also opened the doors for these companies to play a leading role in future strategic projects such as city renewal. rail network. A package of agreements aimed at expanding mutual interests as a cushion of interest to prevent future conflicts. Both countries conspired to continue to deepen bilateral relations and “everything we know that offends the other sideespecially in the things that affect us relevant jurisdictions“, in the words of Sánchez. Another pillar is migration cooperation, which has led to a decrease in arrivals to Spain, but an increased number of arrests and forced transfers of migrants by Moroccan authorities.

The other side of the coin is the open crisis between the two countries. Madrid and Algeria Because of the Spanish administration’s support for Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy plan. Right now, Relations between the two countries froze and Algeria continue to block Spanish products and companies. Until now, gas deliveries unaffectedAlthough Algeria prioritizes strengthening ties with Italy to make the transalpine country Algeria’s main gas hub with the European continent.