Spain, Morocco search reset of testy relationship at Rabat summit

RABAT, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Spain and Morocco have agreed to put aside their variations, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated on Thursday, as they search to restore a relationship marked by frequent disputes over migration and territory.

Sanchez was talking at a summit in Rabat the place the 2 international locations signed as many as 20 agreements to spice up commerce and funding, together with credit score strains of as much as 800 million euros ($873 million).

“We’ve agreed on a dedication to mutual respect, whereby in our discourse and in our political follow we’ll keep away from every part that we all know offends the opposite get together, particularly concerning our respective spheres of sovereignty,” Sanchez stated.

There have been common diplomatic crises over Spain’s enclaves in Africa, Morocco’s dispute with rebels over the Western Sahara, and the arrival of 1000’s of unlawful migrants in Spain every year by means of Morocco.

Morocco refuses to recognise Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, however final 12 months the 2 international locations agreed to open the primary customs management level at Ceuta.

Madrid says that displays Rabat’s recognition of the enclaves as international territory, however Morocco has made no public assertion indicating that its long-held stance that the enclaves ought to be a part of its territory has modified.

Sanchez restored cordial relations with Rabat in March 2022 after he reversed former colonial grasp Spain’s four-decade coverage on the Western Sahara by backing Morocco’s proposal to create an autonomous area.

Forging peace between the neighbours has compelled Sanchez’s Socialists into some uncomfortable positions.

Final month, its MEPs voted in opposition to a decision within the European Parliament to name on Morocco to enhance its file on press freedom. MEP Juan Fernando Lopez stated this week that sustaining cordial neighbourly relations typically concerned “swallowing a toad”.

Spain’s about-turn on Western Sahara drew the ire of Algeria, a Polisario Entrance ally, which suspended commerce with Spain and warned it may lower the circulation of pure gasoline even because it forges nearer gasoline ties with Italy.

Spanish exports to Algeria fell 41% to 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) within the January-November 2022 interval in contrast with a 12 months earlier, in response to the Ministry of Business. Its exports to Morocco rose 27% to 10.8 billion euros in the identical interval.

Spain expects to get a major chunk of the 45 billion euros that Morocco is anticipated to take a position by 2050 in enhancing infrastructure, a Spanish authorities supply stated.

Spanish firms are properly positioned to win concessions in key sectors of Rabat’s improvement plan, resembling in water sanitation and renewable vitality, the particular person stated.

State-owned railway operators Renfe and Adif are working with their Moroccan counterpart to develop new practice strains, which may imply 6 billion euros of enterprise.

Spain is discussing tips on how to take away Morocco from a gray checklist of cash laundering international locations, one other authorities supply stated. A delegation from Monetary Motion Activity Drive, a Paris-based world cash laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, visited Morocco final month and is anticipated to announce later this month its choice on whether or not Morocco could be faraway from the checklist.

In Rabat on Thursday, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch expressed satisfaction at Spain’s assist for Morocco’s autonomy plan because the “most credible answer” to resolve the Western Sahara dispute, however didn’t reference an settlement to put aside all sovereignty disputes.

A joint declaration made no point out of Spain’s enclaves in Morocco though it reiterated Spain’s new place on Western Sahara. Morocco stated it anticipated Spain’s upcoming presidency of the European Union would imply it may act as a conduit for higher relations with the bloc.

Each international locations agreed to cooperate on repatriations of unlawful migrants.

($1 = 0.9168 euro)

Reporting by Belén Carreño and Ahmed Eljechtimi; Writing by Charlie Devereux; Enhancing by Gareth Jones, Aislinn Laing, Nick Macfie and Jonathan Oatis

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