Morocco and Spain strengthen ties with agreements on Gibraltar link project

Saturday 12 April 2025 - 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco and Spain strengthen ties with agreements on Gibraltar link project

Morocco and Spain have recently formalized two significant agreements aimed at advancing the Strait of Gibraltar crossing project. Signed on Thursday in Madrid, these agreements emphasize cooperation in digitalization, engineering, and educational initiatives.

The Moroccan delegation, led by Abdelkabir Zahoud, President of the National Company for Studies of the Strait of Gibraltar, engaged in technical discussions with their Spanish counterparts. José Luis Goberna Caride, CEO of the Spanish Company for Fixed Link Studies across the Strait of Gibraltar, chaired the Spanish side of the meetings.

Key areas of focus included the digitization of documents, the development of a future data management system, and various engineering aspects tied to the project.

Additionally, a partnership agreement was established between the Spanish Center for Studies and Public Works Trials and Morocco’s Public Laboratory for Trials and Studies. This collaboration will cover a wide range of fields, including road studies, soil and rock engineering, rail transport, public transportation, road safety, and environmental considerations.

A second agreement was forged between the Higher Technical School of Civil Engineering in Madrid and Morocco’s Hassania School of Public Works. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in education, training, and scientific research, facilitating the exchange of professors and students, joint research initiatives, and training sessions.

The signing of these agreements is part of a larger exchange program between the two national companies involved in the project. This initiative aims to foster deeper collaboration between Moroccan and Spanish institutions and various stakeholders engaged in the endeavor.

These developments build on the outcomes of the 43rd meeting of the Morocco-Spain Joint Committee on the Gibraltar Strait Fixed Link, held in April 2023. During that meeting, both sides established a shared vision for mobilizing scientific and technical networks effectively. The ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive system that includes public bodies, engineering firms, universities, and research centers from both nations.

The envisioned fixed link between Morocco and Spain, potentially realized through a tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar, represents a monumental engineering challenge. This connection would facilitate a direct land-based route between Europe and Africa, a concept that has captivated discussions for many years.