Political analysts and university professors have observed that Morocco, through the clarifications issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding recent developments in Moroccan-Spanish relations, has conveyed several important messages to Spain. Among these is a reminder of the provisions of the joint declaration from 2022 and a firm rejection of transforming the kingdom into an electoral pawn within the Spanish political landscape.
Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates issued a statement addressing the latest developments in Moroccan-Spanish relations amid increasing attacks from Spanish right-wing parties on Morocco and its institutions, alongside attempts to attribute collective migration flows to Ceuta, which occurred in late July.
Reaffirmation of Commitments
Political analyst and public law professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Abbas Al-Wardi, noted that the statement emphasized strategic points, primarily the historical geopolitical and strategic relationship with Spain as a neighbor. He highlighted that Morocco reiterated the importance of the agreement signed before His Majesty the King and the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, which outlined a relationship based on trust, cooperation, and diplomatic management of conflicts. Al-Wardi further pointed out that a crucial aspect of the statement is Morocco's refusal to accept a fait accompli, meaning it insists on structuring relations within a diplomatic framework characterized by respect and state-to-state logic.
The political analyst emphasized Morocco's official response rejecting attempts to undermine the relationship amid an electoral battlefield. He views this Moroccan response as timely and measured, given the rapid developments in the Spanish political arena since the crisis related to migration flows to Ceuta. Al-Wardi remarked that Morocco's approach in responding reflects its commitment to preserving the relationship with Spain as a partner, while simultaneously affirming itself as a state of institutions, primarily led by the royal institution. He concluded by stating that Morocco has not reached a point of conflict with Spain but insists on recalling the historical, institutional, and strategic foundations upon which Moroccan-Spanish relations should be built to remain robust and strategic.
Rejection of Exploitation
Mohamed Nashtawi, a university professor and head of the Ibn Rushd Center for Strategic Studies and Policy Analysis, indicated that Morocco's official response to the ramifications of the mass migration crisis toward Ceuta relies on a calm and credible approach, presenting facts related to the economy, security, and migration to counteract the misleading narratives propagated by the media and most Spanish political parties. He noted, however, that this approach is fundamentally firm, asserting that Morocco will not accept being used as an electoral tool or a scapegoat for internal conflicts.
Nashtawi explained that Morocco's approach stems from its awareness of the complexities in its long-standing relations with Spain, which are built on a substantial historical weight, sensitivities, and mutual caution. He added that Morocco distances itself from becoming a subject of competition between the right and the left or between populists and extremists. He pointed out that any Spanish political leader, regardless of their orientation, will encounter a changing reality that is not governed by slogans or outcries but rather by a neighboring Morocco and an economic partner. He highlighted that Spain is Morocco's primary economic partner, with Spanish exports to Morocco exceeding $12 billion.
The analyst noted that the Moroccan statement comes at a time when Spain appears to be manipulating its relations with Morocco, citing plans to grant citizenship to Sahrawis and renewing ties with Algeria. He emphasized that the joint declaration between the two countries, issued on April 7, 2022, following King Mohammed VI's meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, is beginning to weaken under the pressures exerted on the Spanish government to hold Morocco responsible for the events in Ceuta, without any substantial evidence of the kingdom's involvement. Nashtawi concluded by stating that this statement reorients the relations back to their foundations, affirming that Morocco remains far removed from what is occurring within Spain and distances itself from being the focal point of conflict between Spanish socialists and rightists.
As reported by hespress.com.
