Morocco and Spain settle quarrels, borders open again

Morocco and Spain will immediately reopen the sea and land borders between the two countries. This was decided by Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez at a meeting in Rabat. This puts an end to a diplomatic crisis that has lasted for a year.

That conflict revolved around the reception of a prominent member of the Polisario independence movement, which is active in Western Sahara. That member was admitted to a Spanish hospital because of a corona infection, but Madrid had failed to report this to Rabat. The Moroccans were angry about this, because they regard Western Sahara as their own territory and see Polisario as an enemy.

Remarkable spin from Spain

Spain has always resisted Moroccan control of the former Spanish colony, until the Spanish government made a remarkable turn last month and expressed support for Moroccan plans for the region. Sanchez reiterated that position at the meeting in Rabat, to the satisfaction of the Moroccan king.

The decision of the two countries is good news for European Moroccans who go on holiday to Morocco by car via Spain. Every year there are about three million people who make this crossing.

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