Statement by the Royal Office

« His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, received today at the Rabat Royal Palace, His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sanchez, President of the Spanish Government, who is visiting Morocco at the invitation of the Sovereign, as part of a new stage of partnership between the Kingdoms of Morocco and Spain.

This audience, which is a continuation of the telephone conversation held on March 31 between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the President of the Spanish Government, follows the letter sent on March 14 by Mr. Pedro Sanchez to His Majesty the King in which the Spanish Government undertakes to inaugurate a new phase in relations between the two kingdoms, based on transparency and mutual respect.

This new dynamic echoes the call of His Majesty the King in his speech of August 20, 2021 to inaugurate a new stage in relations between the two countries.

During this audience, His Excellency Pedro Sanchez, reaffirmed the position of Spain on the Sahara issue, considering the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute.

On this occasion, His Majesty the King and the President of the Spanish Government reiterated the will to open a new stage in the relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect, reciprocal trust, permanent consultation and frank and loyal cooperation.

In this regard, it was agreed in particular to implement concrete actions in the framework of a roadmap covering all areas of the partnership, integrating all issues of common interest.

In addition, the audience granted to the Spanish Chief Executive was an opportunity to review the various aspects of common interest in their political, economic, security and cultural components. Regional and international issues were also on the agenda.

The audience was attended on the Spanish side by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Ambassador in Rabat, Mr. Ricardo Diez-Hochleitner, and on the Moroccan side, by the Advisor to HM the King, Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and the Ambassador of HM the King in Madrid, Karima Benyaich ».