In the context of strengthening the strategic partnership between Rabat and Madrid, Aziz Akhannouch, the Head of Government, along with Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, oversaw the signing of a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding covering numerous sectors on Thursday at the Moncloa complex, on the occasion of the thirteenth high-level meeting between the two countries. This step confirms the desire of the two kingdoms to strengthen bilateral ties and establish a climate of mutual trust and continuous coordination in sectors of common interest.
Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, representing the Moroccan side, and José Manuel Álvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, signed a memorandum of understanding on women’s foreign policy, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation regarding diplomatic training, in addition to another memorandum of understanding on the training mobility program for young diplomats.
The two ministers also signed a declaration of intent on cooperation regarding the exchange of information, expertise and successful experiences related to the digital production of legislative and regulatory texts and their electronic publication between the National Agency of the Official Gazette of the State in Spain and the Official Printing Office of the Kingdom of Morocco, in addition to a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of documentary heritage and digitization.
In a related context, the two countries, represented by José Manuel Álvarez, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Abdellatif Ouahbi, the Minister of Justice in the government of Aziz Akhannouch, signed a memorandum of understanding on the possibility of sending and receiving cooperation requests by electronic means; while Nadia Fettah Alaoui, the Minister of Economy and Finance, signed a memorandum of understanding with the same Spanish minister on cooperation in the field of taxation.
The two heads of government also oversaw the signing of a declaration of intent to cooperate in combating hate speech, a memorandum of understanding between the National Geographic Institute in Spain and the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research, as well as a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and food industries, signed by Luis Planas, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Ahmed Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests in the government of Aziz Akhannouch.
In the maritime fishing sector, Morocco, represented by Zakia Derouich, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests in charge of maritime fishing, signed a memorandum of understanding with the minister in charge of this sector in the Sanchez government, relating to cooperation in the areas of maritime fishing, the development of the aquaculture sector and combating illegal fishing.
Pilar Alegría, Spain’s Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, signed an international administrative agreement with her Moroccan counterpart, Mohamed Saad Barrada, Minister of National Education, Early Childhood Education and Sports, concerning the teaching of Arabic language and Moroccan culture in Spanish state-run educational institutions located in Morocco, along with a memorandum of understanding in the field of sports. Meanwhile, Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection, signed a memorandum of understanding on social protection and social solidarity with Alma Saiz, Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Immigration.
The agreements and memoranda of understanding signed today between Morocco and Spain are a clear indication of the strength and depth of bilateral relations between these two neighboring countries, which have witnessed increasing momentum since April 2022 and a shift in Madrid's position on the Western Sahara issue in favor of supporting an autonomy solution. The relationship between the two neighbors has transcended traditional cooperation to become a comprehensive strategic partnership based on political, economic, social, and security coordination.
