The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reaffirmed this Monday the importance of cooperation between Spain and Morocco, particularly in the context of the gradual reopening of commercial customs in Sebta and Melilla. During an intervention on Zero Wavehe welcomed the progress made and expressed his incomprehension in the face of criticism from certain political parties.
“It is paradoxical to see groups criticizing today an initiative that they never considered implementing when they were in power”he declared, alluding to the opposition expressed by certain political forces to this normalization process with Rabat, initiated in April 2022.
Mr. Albares insisted on the strategic importance of this bilateral cooperation which goes beyond the framework of customs and encompasses crucial areas such as security, management of migratory flows and economic relations. He recalled that these efforts are part of the commitments made during the high-level meeting (RAN) between Spain and Morocco in February 2023.
The reopening of customs, closed since August 2018, constitutes a turning point and symbolizes, for Mr. Albares; “a decisive step towards a balanced and respectful partnership”despite the internal political tensions that it continues to arouse in Spain.
