Morocco and Spain to strengthen economic and political ties
Morocco and Spain organised their 13th Morocco-Spain High-Level Meeting in Madrid, reinforcing their partnership across trade, energy and regional diplomacy as reported by APA News on December 4th.
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch highlighted that Spain’s expertise in renewable energy and manufacturing, combined with Morocco’s potential to become a future exporter of green energy, creates space for joint projects that benefit both countries.
Speaking at the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisations, he said, “We have a unique window of opportunity before us to transform our partnership into a true accelerator of the Africa-Europe relationship, in which Spain and Morocco would be natural linchpins”.
As reported by TRT World, officials present at the summit signed 14 cooperation agreements in areas including education, sports, agriculture, fishing and natural disaster response.
Moroccan PM Akhannouch emphasised that the continuous conversations between King Mohammed VI and King Felipe VI have fostered the partnership between the two nations.
Spanish officials, such as Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Oscar Puente, said ties between the two neighbours are at “their best moment in decades”, noting that relations have strengthened since the 2022 bilateral roadmap and the high-level meeting in Rabat in 2023.
He further stated that the partnership is essential for political, diplomatic, and commercial reasons. “The strategic partnership between Rabat and Madrid is a major lever not only for the two countries, but also for the European and African continents”, he added.
Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas highlighted the increase in trade over the past decade, especially in agriculture, where trade has nearly tripled. He said the Morocco-Spain High-Level Meeting offers a new opportunity to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation and climate adaptation.
Spain urged both countries to tap the economic and cultural opportunities ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which they will co-host with Portugal.
Moreover, talks were focused on the UN Security Council’s supportive stance toward Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a move backed by Madrid but opposed by its coalition partner Sumar, whose ministers boycotted the summit.
APA News, TRT World, Maghrebi
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
