Speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said his country's government will continue to “promote” relations with Morocco.

“Our commitment to the stability of the relationship with Morocco is firm and will not be altered,” Albares stressed, adding that Madrid will continue to “work with the European Union and Morocco to preserve and further develop this relationship.”

The Minister also underlined the importance of the “strategic partnership” between the EU and Morocco for the two parties as well as for Spain, and the “advantages” that this partnership has brought to the different sectors, including fisheries, agriculture and Moroccan-Spanish trade.

In this regard, he recalled that Spain's trade with Morocco reached €22 billion, second only to the United States and the United Kingdom.

Spain, like many other countries, will continue to encourage the “privileged” relationship between the EU and Morocco, said Albares.

The Spanish official also tackled the Moroccan Sahara issue, recalling that his country's position on this issue was underlined in the joint declaration of April 7, 2022, issued following the audience HM King Mohammed VI granted to the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, stating that the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara is “the most serious, credible and realistic basis” to settle this conflict.

An increasing number of countries in Europe and around the world are joining Spain's position, said Albares, citing France in particular.