Spain and Morocco

The governments of Spain and Morocco have to work hard to overcome the simplistic but effective clichés and stereotypes that have been inherited from other times and that those in favour of boycotting relations between the two neighbouring countries, which are strategic, build up whenever they have the chance.  

The relevance and importance of the relations cover all aspects where the Economic Forum of the businessmen of the two countries stands out for its relevance to bilateral relations. From trade exchanges, the opening of a customs office in Ceuta with all that this implies from a political, economic and commercial point of view, collaboration in all economic, social, scientific, cultural and sporting sectors, renewable energies and infrastructures, the exchange of nearly one million tourists a year, and a guarantee for both countries and for the European Union, such as the control of migratory flows and the firm and effective cooperation in security and the fight against terrorism. There are other elements that have contributed over the years to building and strengthening historical ties, which were not always peaceful, to coordinating strategic interests in an area of the world that is vital for international security and stability, and to confronting and planning for the future on the basis of complementarity and mutual exploitation of synergies, instead of confrontation and absurd competitiveness, as in the case of the ports.  

For many years, the Sahara conflict has been a delicate subject pending due to the intention of neutrality of the different Spanish governments committed to maintaining a complicated balance in relations with Algeria, conditioned by gas, and with Morocco. Today, decisive events such as a successful and intense Moroccan diplomatic campaign, the Abraham Accords and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have led many countries' policies on the Sahara conflict to change in favour of considering the proposal for broad autonomy for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as a serious, realistic and credible solution in this case.  

The Accords of Abraham, the Arab-Israeli understanding promoted by Washington, was used by Donald Trump to launch his tweet of recognition of the Moroccan Sahara and Morocco's accession to the Accords of Abraham. The Spanish government went from welcoming the leader of the Polisario Front to recognising the virtues of the autonomy proposed by Rabat, despite its partners of Podemos in government who are supporters of the Polisario Front and Saharan self-determination. The military junta that continues to rule Algeria, despite the new constitution and the elections following the massive and peaceful demonstrations of the Hirak, the majority of the Algerian people, broke off relations with Spain, but did not dare to do so with other countries such as Germany, which also support Rabat's theses. Its historical alliance with the Soviet communists and now with Putin's Russia and its activities in the Sahel, reinforces the decision of the EU and the United States for 47 years not to allow Algeria and Russia an outlet to the Atlantic in such a strategic place as the Sahara and now in Mauritania. Pegasus and Sánchez's mobile phone are speculations.