Spanish and Moroccan leaders meet in Madrid to discuss the disputed Western Sahara territory, airspace management and migration cooperation.
MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hosted his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch in Madrid on Thursday for talks with the European Union’s strategic North African neighbour.
The sensitive issue of the Western Sahara was a key topic for discussion.
The vast, resource-rich former Spanish colony is mostly controlled by Morocco, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence for the territory.
Spain improved its previously fraught ties with Morocco in 2022 after supporting Rabat’s plan to grant the Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
This stance is also supported by the United States and France.
The leaders were due to discuss the Western Sahara before the signing of agreements on areas including agriculture and fishing.
Rabat is seeking gains in the management of the Western Sahara’s airspace, which is controlled by Spain from the Canary Islands.
“When there is a territory under a country’s sovereignty, it is better that the country takes charge of managing all air, land or maritime matters,” Moroccan Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour told El Mundo daily.
Immigration was another key topic on the agenda.
Morocco is a key EU partner in managing irregular migration, sharing the bloc’s only land border with Africa at the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
“Morocco is playing a major role in combating illegal immigration,” Mezzour told El Mundo.
“We are making every effort, together with our partners, to do what we must do so that it is not a problem.”
