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Revitalizing Ties: Spanish Foreign Minister to Visit Morocco

Revitalizing Ties: Spanish Foreign Minister to Visit Morocco
Monday 11 December 2023 - 08:25 Journalists: Dakir Madiha
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Madrid - In a concerted effort to strengthen bilateral relations, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, is set to embark on a pivotal trip to Morocco next week, marking his first visit since his recent reappointment.

According to Spanish media reports, the primary objective of the visit is to breathe new life into the 'roadmap' established during Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's meeting with King Mohammed VI in Rabat in April 2022. This roadmap outlines plans to fortify both political and economic ties between the two nations.

Signifying a new chapter after the resolution of a year-long diplomatic crisis between the neighboring countries in 2022, Minister Albares' visit underscores Spain's commitment to strengthened cooperation across various sectors, including trade, culture, and sports. The visit comes on the heels of Spain's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in March, a move hailed by Sanchez as the ‘most serious, realistic, and credible’ basis for resolving the long-standing dispute over the territory.

Sources suggest that discussions during the visit could focus on joint World Cup hosting preparations, following the confirmation that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will jointly host the landmark 2030 tournament.

Since his recent re-election, Prime Minister Sanchez has reaffirmed his determination to enhance relations by engaging in discussions with Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. Against the backdrop of an improving bilateral relationship, the foreign minister's upcoming trip may prove pivotal in translating high-level alignment into actionable initiatives on the ground.

With potential flashpoints fading, this visit marks a fresh chapter, poised to unlock new synergies in cooperation between these key neighbors and anchor stability in the region.


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