Morocco-Spain: a shift of paradigm

In traditional historiography, an event is a set of remarkable facts, considered worthy of being remembered and recorded in writing, because of their impact on the course of history. One question that continues to concern analysts is when and how a particular event in the life of a nation is constituted as a historical event. We could answer this question in general terms by saying that a historical event is a fact or a series of facts that have had a significant influence on the development of society, politics, culture, technology, etc. When an event is qualified as historical it means having importance in terms of significant impact on the values and attitudes of society as well as on future generations, it also means having originality in the sense that the event is unique and unprecedented, as well as being framed in terms of sustainability so that the consequences of the event continue over time and remain perceptible in the long term, such an event also has to be conveyed in documentation that implies sufficient evidence and testimonies to back up its existence, and finally this event is supposed to constitute a high point and a decisive breakthrough moment that introduces a paradigm shift marking a before and an after. 

In the framework of international relations, historical events can be identified in various ways, notably through armed conflicts such as wars and revolutions, which can be translated as historical events because they have important consequences for international relations, as well as through applied diplomacy in the form of diplomatic initiatives and negotiations, which can occur as historical events if they concern agreements important for international relations. In general, historical events in international relations are distinguished by their importance for the development of relations between states, their originality, their sustainability, their available documentation and their significance for the formulation of foreign policies and development of value systems. 

In this context, the High Level Meeting between Spain and Morocco, held in Rabat on 1 and 2 February, can be considered a relevant and successful meeting, due to the important decisions taken and the relevance of the agreements signed, but also because it practically constituted a first firm step in what will be a new stage in Spanish-Moroccan relations, following a rupture between the two countries after the Spanish ambassador in Rabat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request the necessary explanations regarding the entry into Spain of the separatist Brahim Ghali, accused of committing serious military crimes and human rights violations. 

In this perspective, it is no exaggeration to consider that this meeting, held after a year of strained relations, was historic in nature. It was a High Level Meeting that marked a significant break in continuity in the Spanish-Moroccan relationship, establishing a new paradigm for the redesign of that relationship. Before explaining what this paradigm shift consists of, it is worth recalling that this term generally implies the acceptance of a new theory to explain the world around us, following a conceptual renewal that can take place in various areas of knowledge such as education, society, politics, economics, the natural sciences and philosophy. A paradigm shift is therefore a revolution in the way reality is perceived. Changes in the terms used to describe phenomena and facts, as well as new ways in which a person or organisation views and approaches a problem, are also considered paradigm shifts.  

A paradigm shift in international relations may imply a new way of thinking about, approaching and managing the complexity of international relations, and may even lead to new solutions to the problems posed. In modern history, examples of conflicting bilateral relations, such as Egypt and Israel, France and Germany, the United States and Cuba, show that when two neighbouring, partner or conflicting states decide to change the paradigm in the design and management of their relations this implies a change in the way they interact and communicate with each other, it can also imply better cooperation and coordination, as well as a broader openness to exchange information and knowledge. It may also imply greater flexibility and a greater ability to adapt to changes and challenges as they arise. Finally, the paradigm shift may imply better consideration of the interests and concerns of both states and a greater willingness to find mutually acceptable solutions. 

In this sense, we can say that Morocco and Spain, also with a difficult history, have managed to constitute their own model of paradigm shift in their bilateral relations, starting with the joint declaration of the 12th HLM supported by the roadmap. Why this change?  Simply because Morocco has changed, and yes, "indeed, Morocco has changed", as HM King Mohammed VI stressed in his address to the nation on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the King and People's Revolution, because today's Morocco "does not allow its supreme interests to be undermined, and at the same time seeks to establish strong, constructive and balanced relations, especially with neighbouring countries". It is quite clear that the royal court discourse here sets out a new paradigm based on two key concepts: respect for supreme interests and the maintenance of balanced relations. It should be stressed in this context that HM King Mohammed VI, who has "personally and directly followed the progress of the dialogue and the development of the discussions", was not only aiming to get out of this crisis, but "to make it an opportunity to review the foundations and determinants that govern these relations". Continuing with the conceptualisation of the new paradigm, the King of Morocco in his speech laid the foundations of a rupture within continuity, confirming that "in all sincerity and confidence, we aspire to continue working with the Government of Spain and its President, His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sánchez, in order to inaugurate a new and unprecedented stage in relations between the two countries, based on trust, transparency, mutual respect and honouring of commitments". This clearly means reiterating the firm will to continue capitalising on the achievements of the partnership with the Spanish partner, while cultivating mutual trust, which implies feeling confident that the supreme interests of one side will be treated with respect and transparency by the other side.  

Since territorial integrity constitutes the highest priority within Morocco's supreme interests, and given that the new foreign policy paradigm established by HM King Mohammed VI implies that the Sahara issue is the prism through which Morocco views its international environment, we can qualify as an intelligent and statesmanlike reaction the letter of President Pedro Sánchez to King Mohammed VI stating that "Spain considers the Moroccan proposal for autonomy presented in 2007 as the most serious, credible and realistic basis for the resolution of this dispute". In this letter addressed to the King of Morocco, the leader of the Spanish Socialists and President of the Government affirms Spain's unequivocal adherence to this new paradigm in Spanish-Moroccan relations, as it responsibly and constructively expresses its support for the proposal for autonomy for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. It should be recalled here that the Moroccan proposal, submitted to the UN Secretary-General in April 2007, with a view to definitively resolving the Sahara conflict, stipulates that the Moroccan state would retain the main sovereign prerogatives (foreign affairs, national defence, religious affairs, etc.) and that the Sahara region would have its own parliament, an elected autonomous government, as well as broad powers enabling Sahrawi Moroccan citizens to manage their own economic, social and cultural affairs. Spain's position in favour of Morocco's territorial integrity, expressed in the letter of its President Pedro Sánchez to King Mohammed VI and confirmed in the HLM's joint declaration, may open new perspectives for Spain to play a more active role in this regard, especially considering new investment opportunities in Morocco, including in the Saharan provinces, where Spain could expand its investments in different sectors - it is worth recalling here that the Spanish government's decision to open a Cervantes Institute headquarters in Laayoune is a promising gesture in this regard. Spain could also play a more prominent role by supporting the autonomy initiative in international organisations as a more serious, credible and realistic solution for the resolution of this conflict provoked against Morocco's territorial integrity. 

We note therefore that the 12th HLM, as a historic event, had a truly paradigmatic function, it was the first High Level Meeting which, as is well known, was held almost eight years after the last bilateral summit, but it should also be stressed that it was the first meeting of this magnitude to be held after the deepest crisis between Spain and Morocco since 1975, I am referring to the crisis arising from Spain's reception of the leader of the Polisario Front separatist group, in April 2021. Therefore, I believe that this High Level Meeting is historic because, assuming a real paradigm shift, it managed to concretise the way out of the crisis, re-establish political dialogue, and reiterate the determination of the two countries to act jointly, cooperatively and based on transparency and mutual trust, as well as to achieve a successful restructuring of relations between the two kingdoms, which is based on political dialogue and permanent communication, and which is capable of creating a new dynamic, necessary for the well-being of the two countries and the prosperity of the region as a whole. 

Political relations between Morocco and Spain, framed within this new paradigm, have been strengthened by their shared commitment to stability, peace and sustainable development, but also by the defence of their common interests at the regional level, as well as on the international stage. We should not forget that this latest High Level Meeting in Rabat took place at a time of unanimous mobilisation of the Moroccan forces against the blackmailing and unacceptable resolution of the European Parliament, the reason why the Moroccan Parliament took the decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament. Since diplomatic communication takes advantage of every opportunity and takes place at every event, we can say that the government of Pedro Sánchez, when it welcomes in the joint declaration of that meeting the dynamic of openness, progress and modernity that Morocco is experiencing, under the active leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is no more and no less in a logic of explanation of vote, thus explaining the reasons that justify the vote of the Socialist MEPs against the resolution voted a few days earlier in the European Parliament.

When Spain "considers that Morocco is a credible and listened to regional and international actor, which plays a decisive role for stability, peace and development in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, in the Sahel-Saharan area and in Africa", well, through this joint declaration, it seems to me that Spain is mobilising a discursive strategy of taking an official position with regard to the Kingdom of Morocco, and at the same time sending a clear message to the right people, making it clear that for Spain, Morocco is not just a country with which it exchanges certain interests, but rather a reliable partner with whom it shares values. This pertinent discursive strategy developed from a joint declaration in a highly mediatised communicative situation shows the importance that bilateral diplomacy can have in the management of multilateral affairs and complex international relations.

It was thus a historic meeting, led by the heads of government of the two countries, which provided an excellent opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their diplomatic and economic relations, and to discuss a wide range of issues, such as cooperation on migration, security, trade, education and economic development. The two countries also discussed regional and international issues, such as relations with the European Union and problems in the Sahel region. Through some twenty agreements and protocols signed, Spain and Morocco not only intensified their bilateral cooperation, but also showed their commitment to strengthen it further, through ambitious joint projects that will have a positive strategic impact on both countries. 

Thus the two kingdoms, with the new roadmap and the joint declaration of the HLM held recently in Rabat, have been able to overcome a long period of instability and imbalance in their relations, achieving a paradigmatic renewal in the shared vision of the current geopolitical situation, marked by the extension of areas of risks and uncertainties, a vision promoted by HM King Mohammed VI and President Pedro Sánchez, which speaks the language of shared interests, transparency and mutual trust, and which opens new perspectives for maintaining strong and solid bilateral relations. In this framework, the decisions taken at this High Level Meeting will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of relations between the two countries, but also on the future of the entire region.