Morocco and Spain on Thursday agreed to ease their strained relations after Madrid supported Rabat’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, ending a year-long diplomatic disaster.
“In the present day is a vital day for Spain and Morocco as a result of we provoke a brand new section of bilateral relations,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated after assembly with Moroccan King Mohammed VI in Rabat.
A press release from the Moroccan Royal Palace stated the 2 leaders “reiterated their willingness to
usher in a brand new section, primarily based on mutual respect, mutual belief, everlasting session and frank and trustworthy cooperation.”
What had brought on diplomatic tensions?
The diplomatic tensions started a yr in the past when Madrid allowed Brahim Ghali, chief of the Polisario Entrance, which seeks independence for the territory of Western Sahara, to be handled for COVID-19 in a Spanish hospital.
Morocco has accused Ghali of battle crimes and views Western Sahara as an integral a part of the dominion. After Spanish colonial forces withdrew from Morocco in 1975, the nation fought a bitter battle with the Polisario.
After Ghali’s hospitalization, greater than 10,000 migrants arrived on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa as Moroccan border forces didn’t act in what was seen as a retaliatory transfer towards Spain.
On March 18, Madrid introduced a “new stage” in relations, and stated it now backed the dominion’s plan of restricted autonomy underneath Moroccan sovereignty for Western Sahara.
A joint Spain-Morocco assertion stated they might instantly resume sea journey.
The 2 international locations additionally agreed to work on the demarcation of Atlantic sea borders along with airspace administration, in addition to to bolster cooperation on migration, economic system, power, business and tradition.
Morocco introduced that it might begin importing gasoline utilizing Spanish liquid pure gasoline terminals by reactivating an idled pipeline.
Sanchez hailed the “historic second,” spurring home backlash towards him.
A majority of Spanish lawmakers, together with from the left- and right-wing opposition and Unidas Podemos, the junior authorities associate to Sanchez’s Socialist Social gathering, voted in a decision towards the international coverage change.
tg/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)