Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Morocco to meet with King Mohammed VI, emphasizing cooperation on managing migration. Sánchez also expressed Spain's support for Morocco’s autonomy plan regarding the disputed Western Sahara and called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October.
During a news conference in Rabat, Sánchez highlighted the importance of ensuring access to humanitarian aid, particularly mentioning the work of the UNRWA in the Middle East. Last month, Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees of involvement in an attack by Hamas, leading to the suspension of funding by the United States and other donors.
Addressing the recent surge in migration to the Canary Islands, Sánchez acknowledged the challenges faced by both Spain and Morocco. While Morocco has been working to prevent border crossings to Spain’s enclaves and boat crossings through the Strait of Gibraltar, there has been a notable increase in boat landings on the Canaries this year.
Spain and Morocco share strong business and political ties, with Moroccans being the largest foreign community in Spain. The two countries have been collaborating closely, with Spain being Morocco’s largest foreign investor. Sánchez's visit aimed to strengthen these ties and address key issues of mutual interest.
Furthermore, Sánchez reiterated Spain's support for Morocco's claims to the Western Sahara, a move that has contributed to improved relations between the two nations. The visit coincided with protests in Madrid against policies perceived as imposing financial burdens and affecting the competitiveness of European products compared to imports from outside the EU.
Overall, the meeting between Sánchez and King Mohammed VI underscored the ongoing dialogue and cooperation between Spain and Morocco on various regional and international issues, including migration management and political developments in the Middle East.
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