Albares takes stock of Spain’s neighborly relations

The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, assured that the program of the high-level meeting with Rabat will be maintained for this start according to the program agreed with Nasser Bourita. With Algeria, on the other hand, the situation is stagnant. In the case of Gibraltar, whose post-Brexit status with Brussels is under negotiation, a failure could also benefit Morocco.

The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, assured in an interview with the Europa Press agency that Spain is maintaining its plans with Morocco for these first months of the year. This refers both to the date of the High Level Meeting (RAN), the first between the two countries since 2015 agreed with Nasser Bourita in late January or early February, and to the reopening “orderly and progressive” commercial customs.

According to Albares, this dome “It will mean a new impetus in a bilateral relationship that is extraordinarily beneficial for both countries” and highlighted that trade between Morocco and Spain has increased by almost 30% this year, while the arrival of immigrants from Morocco has decreased, making this migration route to Europe the only one in decline.

The head of Spanish diplomacy also confirmed the reopening of the customs in Melilla and the news in Ceuta (Sebta) before the summit, as he had already indicated during the meeting with Bourita on November 24 in Barcelona.

“There are images of the past that we no longer want to see”, underlined, excluding the reappearance of the “atypical activity” (working) with the Spanish enclaves. The idea, explained the minister, is to act as was done with the passage of people. “It must be a gradual opening precisely in order not to fall into the mistakes of the past”, commented.

The land borders with Morocco were reopened on May 17, but only to European Union citizens authorized to travel within the Schengen territory. A second phase began on 31 May which allowed access to “legally recognized cross-border workers”, without the situation of the rest of the Moroccans having been resolved for the moment.

Albares, on the other hand, did not mention the still controversial point between Morocco and Spain on the air control of the territory of Western Sahara.

No progress in the crisis with Algeria

As for Algeria, the Spanish minister insisted that the government maintain “His hand is outstretched.” Instead, he acknowledged “There are still commercial operations still blocked” between the two countries following Algiers’ decision to suspend the friendship treaty in June.

“Spain has done nothing to block these commercial operations”, said Albares, who immediately flew to Brussels after Algiers’ decision to ask for support from the European Commission.

Given the unique situation of Gibraltar, a British possession at the center of post-Brexit problems, Spain is ready for a “I do not agree” on the Rock saying she was convinced London would accept the proposal.

Madrid defends the idea of ​​creating a “A space of shared prosperity” with Gibraltar on the basis of negotiations started with London two years ago.

In this situation of uncertain status quo, Morocco can replace Spain as a trading partner ” The strongest “ of Gibraltar if the EU treaty doesn’t work, says a local businessman, interviewed by the site The oil mill.

The Gibraltar Morocco Business Association is working with the British Chamber of Commerce for Morocco to help boost trade with the neighbor to the south of the Rock, the same source continues.

As part of the 2019 post-Brexit association agreement, Morocco, Africa’s third richest country, signed a trade treaty with the UK.

So Gibraltar could benefit from the deal, local businessman Joshua Llhote believes during a webinar with the British ambassador to Morocco on the matter.

“It is not entirely clear how Gibraltar companies stand to benefit from the deal,” Llhote explained, noting, however, that Britain earned £1.8bn trading with Morocco in 2021. “He gave Gibraltar a lifeline”, added Llhote.

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