Political analysts and university professors have noted that Morocco, through the recent clarifications issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the evolving dynamics of Moroccan-Spanish relations, conveyed multiple messages to Spain. Foremost among these was a reminder of the stipulations outlined in the joint declaration of 2022 and a resolute rejection of any attempts to use the kingdom as a pawn in the electoral landscape of Spain.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates released a statement addressing the recent developments in Moroccan-Spanish relations amid increasing attacks from Spanish right-wing parties targeting Morocco and its institutions. These parties have sought to pin the blame for the mass migration flows into Ceuta, which occurred in late July, on Morocco.
Reaffirmation of Commitments
Abbas Al-Wardi, a political analyst and professor of public law at Mohammed V University in Rabat, emphasized that the statement highlighted several strategic points, particularly the historical geopolitical and strategic relationship with Spain as a neighboring country. Al-Wardi noted that Morocco reiterated the commitments made in an agreement signed before His Majesty the King alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, which emphasizes establishing a relationship based on trust, cooperation, and the diplomatic management of differences. Importantly, the statement underscored Morocco's refusal to accept a fait accompli, reiterating the need for diplomatic relations grounded in respect and state-to-state logic.
Al-Wardi stressed that Morocco's official response firmly rejects any attempts to jeopardize the relationship in the context of a purely electoral struggle. He believes that this Moroccan response, following a prolonged and measured period of reflection, comes amid the rapidly changing political landscape in Spain since the crisis of migration flows to Ceuta. He indicated that Morocco's approach in its response reflects its commitment to maintaining a healthy relationship with a partner nation like Spain while simultaneously affirming its status as a country of institutions, foremost among them the monarchy. Al-Wardi concluded that Morocco has not reached a point of conflict with Spain, emphasizing the importance of historical, institutional, and strategic frameworks that should underpin Moroccan-Spanish relations to ensure they remain strong and strategic.
Rejection of Exploitation
Mohamed Nashtawi, a university professor and head of the Ibn Rushd Center for Strategic Studies and Policy Analysis, remarked that Morocco's official response to the implications of the mass migration crisis towards Ceuta adopted a calm and reliable approach. This strategy was based on presenting facts and data related to the economy, security, and migration, effectively countering the misleading narratives propagated by the media and many Spanish political parties. However, Nashtawi noted that this approach is also firm in its essence, asserting that Morocco will not accept being used as an electoral pawn or a scapegoat for internal conflicts. He considered Morocco's stance to be a result of its historical complexity in relations with Spain, which are rooted in a significant historical burden and mutual sensitivities.
Furthermore, Nashtawi indicated that Morocco distances itself from being a subject of competition between left and right factions or between populists and extremists. He acknowledged that any Spanish political leader, regardless of their orientation, will encounter a changing reality upon taking office, one that is not governed by slogans or loud rhetoric, but rather by the reality of a neighboring and economically interlinked Morocco. Notably, Spain is Morocco's primary economic partner, with Spanish exports to the kingdom exceeding $12 billion.
Nashtawi added that the Moroccan statement comes at a time when Spain has begun to play its cards concerning Morocco, citing the proposed citizenship for Sahrawis and renewed relations with Algeria. He emphasized that the joint declaration between the two countries, issued on April 7, 2022, following the meeting between King Mohammed VI and the Spanish Prime Minister, is beginning to weaken under pressures exerted on the Spanish government to hold Morocco accountable for the events in Ceuta, all without any substantiated evidence of the kingdom's involvement. He concluded that this statement serves to realign relations to their foundational principles, reaffirming that Morocco remains distant from the internal political struggles in Spain, intentionally avoiding becoming a catalyst for conflict between Spanish socialists and right-wing parties.
As reported by hespress.com.
