Spanish PM Reiterates Commitment to Allied Status with Morocco

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described, Wednesday, Morocco as a friend and fundamental ally in regard to its own economic development, and—as a gateway to Africa—a necessary partner in maintaining the orderly migration process to Spain and to the European continent, and therefore, its security.
These accolades came just days on the heels of Spanish Vice President Yolanda Diaz’s outlandish assertion that Morocco is a dictatorship.
Barcelona-based Spanish newspaper “Lavanguardia” further reported on the President of the Government—the official title of the Prime Minister—as designating Spain’s current relationship with Morocco as one based on mutual respect and with systematic compliance in enforcing bilateral agreements.
Sanchez highlighted two areas in particular in which he was pleased: economic/commercial cooperation and border security. He briefly noted the imperative nature of trade between the two nations—exports to Morocco which approached 12 million euros in value—before highlighting several positive developments regarding the common border.
Specifically, he noted that illegal entry to Spain has decreased significantly, atypical of the current trend in a time frame in which illegal entry to Greece and Italy have doubled and quadrupled, respectively.
In addition, the reopening of the Customs office in Sebta is anticipated to occur at some point in the near future—with the one in Melilla already having been reopened after five years of closure. On the Canary Islands front, talks have resumed to restore the fast ferry connection between Tarfaya and Fuerteventura.