Political analysts and university professors have underscored that Morocco's recent clarifications through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the evolving relationship with Spain send several significant messages. Chief among these is a reminder of the stipulations set forth in the joint declaration of 2022, coupled with a resolute refusal to allow the kingdom to be used as a political pawn in the Spanish electoral landscape.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad issued a statement addressing the recent developments in Moroccan-Spanish relations, which have been characterized by increasing attacks from Spanish right-wing parties against Morocco and its institutions. These parties have attempted to place the blame on Morocco for the surge of migrants heading to the occupied city of Ceuta in late July.
Reaffirming Commitments
Abbas Al-Wardi, a political analyst and professor of public law at Mohammed V University in Rabat, noted that the statement highlighted several strategic points, particularly the historical and geopolitical significance of Morocco’s relationship with Spain as a neighboring country. Al-Wardi remarked that Morocco has reiterated the need for a partnership based on trust, cooperation, and the diplomatic management of disputes, as was agreed upon in the pact signed before His Majesty the King alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He emphasized that another crucial aspect of the statement is Morocco's explicit rejection of any fait accompli policy, affirming the necessity for diplomatic relations grounded in mutual respect and state-to-state logic.
The political analyst further asserted that Morocco's official response firmly rejects any attempts to undermine the bilateral relationship for purely electoral gains. He views the Moroccan reply as a thoughtful and measured response to the rapidly changing political climate in Spain, particularly in light of the recent crisis surrounding the influx of migrants to Ceuta. Al-Wardi highlighted that Morocco's approach reflects a commitment to preserving its relationship with Spain, a partner country, while simultaneously asserting its status as a state of institutions, led by the monarchy. He reiterated the diverse areas of mutual interest between the two nations, concluding that Morocco has not reached a point of conflict with Spain but is merely reminding both countries of the practical, historical, institutional, and strategic frameworks necessary for a robust and strategic Moroccan-Spanish relationship.
A Rejection of Exploitation
Mohamed Nashtawi, a university professor and head of the Ibn Rushd Center for Strategic Studies and Policy Analysis, stated that Morocco's official response to the implications of the mass migration crisis to Ceuta adopted a calm and credible approach, providing factual data related to the economy, security, and migration to counter the misleading narratives propagated by the media and many Spanish political parties. However, Nashtawi cautioned that this approach is also firm in its essence, as it underscores Morocco's unwillingness to be used as an electoral tool or scapegoat for internal conflicts.
He believes that Morocco’s strategy stems from a long-standing awareness that its relationship with Spain is complex, rooted in significant historical baggage, sensitivities, and mutual caution. Furthermore, he emphasized that Morocco distances itself from becoming a subject of competition between the left and right or among populists and extremists, recognizing that any Spanish political figure, regardless of their political orientation, will confront a changing reality upon assuming power—one that is not dictated by slogans and outcries but rather by a neighboring Morocco that is an economic partner. Notably, Spain stands as Morocco's primary economic partner, with Spanish exports to Morocco exceeding $12 billion.
Moreover, Nashtawi indicated that the Moroccan statement comes at a time when Spain has begun to play its cards against Morocco, referencing the proposed citizenship for Sahrawis and the renewed relationship with Algeria. He emphasized that the joint declaration issued on April 7, 2022, following the meeting between King Mohammed VI and the Spanish Prime Minister, is starting to weaken under pressure on the Spanish government to hold Morocco accountable for the events in Ceuta, without any substantiated evidence or documentation implicating the kingdom. He concluded that the recent statement serves to recalibrate the relationship back to its foundational principles, reaffirming that Morocco remains uninvolved in Spain's internal political struggles.
As reported by hespress.com.
