The Moroccan-Spanish partnership has often been highlighted by Iberian officials on different occasions, demonstrating in particular the importance of Morocco as a strategic and exemplary ally of Spain at all levels. For the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, the Kingdom is more than a “simple neighbour”, but “a strategic partner”.
This is not the first time that the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs has highlighted the importance of the relations between Rabat and Madrid, which are becoming more consolidated over time. At every opportunity, Albares asserts that Morocco is the number one priority of Spain’s foreign policy, emphasizing the need to have good relations with the Kingdom.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Iberian newspaper Las Provincias as part of the “Tendemos puentes” (We are building bridges) initiative, the Head of Spanish diplomacy said that Morocco is not considered as than just a neighbour, but a strategic partner. “You have to have the best relations with the neighbours, in this case Morocco, and that’s what Spain has managed to do “, did he declare.
Albares also did not fail to recall that the High Level Meeting (HLM) that Morocco and Spain held on February 1 and 2 in Rabat brought together the largest number of ministers from both governments and was crowned by the signing of the largest number of agreements, 20 in total, in several areas of beneficial cooperation, including migration management, tourism, infrastructure, water resources, environment, agriculture , vocational training, social security, transport, health security and research and development.
The Joint Declaration having sanctioned the work of this 12th RNH, clearly highlights the commitment expressed by Morocco and Spain to perpetuate the relations of excellence which have always linked them and their desire to enrich them on a regular basis.
” If we take chapters as important as trade, the two countries have reached the record figure of 20 billion euros in trade, 11,000 Spanish companies export their products to Morocco and 1,100 companies are already established in Morocco “Advanced the Minister to support his remarks.
As for the management of irregular migration, Albares specifies that “ all European routes are increasing exponentially, with +305% via Italy and +95% via Greece, while illegal migration flows to the Canary Islands and Andalusia recorded an average drop of 75% “.
Indeed, migratory pressure has significantly decreased in Sebta, Melilla, the Canary Islands and on the Spanish coast thanks to the cooperation and commitment of Morocco which, since the strengthening of relations, has made more efforts to manage the flows migration and fight against irregular immigration.
Recent data released by the Spanish Interior Ministry confirms the downtrend. The number of irregular migrants arriving in Spain fell from 10,256 at the end of April 2022 to 6,525 during the same period in 2023, a decrease of 36.38%.