Albares receives his Moroccan counterpart to review the excellent state of bilateral relations with Morocco

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, speaks with his Moroccan counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has held a meeting in Madrid with his Moroccan counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, in order to review the excellent state of bilateral relations between the two countries and to address some issues on the regional and international agenda.

Both ministers noted and welcomed the progress made in the roadmap approved by both governments, including the recent opening of commercial customs in Ceuta and Melilla; migratory cooperation, with notable results in terms of circular migration; and the effective joint fight against the mafias that promote irregular immigration, in compliance with the commitments established in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, signed in Marrakech in 2018. As a result, fewer irregular arrivals were recorded on Spanish shores during 2024 than in other regions of the central and eastern Mediterranean, decreasing 5% compared to the previous year.

Albares and Bourita also welcomed the dynamism of the economic relationship. In 2024, Spain was Morocco's leading trading partner, both as a supplier and as a customer. Trade reached a new all-time high of 22.693 billion euros, representing an increase of more than 7%. More than 6,000 Spanish companies regularly export to Morocco and more than 900 have subsidiaries or significant shareholdings in Moroccan companies, making Morocco the number one destination for Spanish investment in Africa. Several of these Spanish companies have recently won major tenders in Morocco, including the construction of the largest desalination plant in Africa, in Casablanca.

They also agreed on the historical importance of the joint co-hosting by Spain and Morocco of the Men's World Cup in 2030, together with Portugal, as it is an event that transcends the merely sporting sphere, with an important social and economic aspect, and constitutes a magnificent opportunity to further strengthen and deepen the ties between the two countries. A link that is also reinforced by the large Moroccan community living in Spain, the largest foreign community in the country.

Albares also told Bourita that Spain considers Morocco to be a strategic partner of the first order for the EU and is therefore firmly committed to strengthening this relationship.

The two partners also had the opportunity to discuss various issues on the regional and international agenda. They shared the relevance of initiatives such as the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the strengthening of the Southern Neighbourhood, within the EU, with the prospects that are opening up following the appointment of a European Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the drafting of the new Pact for the Mediterranean in progress on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process. Both ministers also agreed on the importance of reforming and strengthening the role of the UfM, at a particularly sensitive international juncture, which will contribute to generating an area of cooperation, prosperity and security in this region.

Other issues discussed included the situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Palestine and the Sahel. Finally, Minister Albares and Bourita referred to the holding of the next RAN, which should take place in Spain.

Non official translation