The recent visit of Pedro Sanchez to Rabat, during which he reaffirmed his support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara and congratulated King Mohammed VI on his regional initiatives, was not appreciated by Algeria. Relations between the two countries are at their worst.
The Algerian authorities are said to have canceled at the last minute the visit of the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, due to his opposition to addressing the Sahara issue during this trip.
The National Police of Cadiz is searching for the criminals who kidnapped and tortured a 33-year-old Moroccan for hours in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cadiz).
The joint organization of the 2030 World Cup by Morocco, Spain and Portugal was one of the important topics discussed by Pedro Sánchez and Mohammed VI, during the visit on Wednesday of the Spanish Prime Minister to Rabat.
As he was getting off the plane at El Prat airport, coming from Nador, a Moroccan septuagenarian was arrested and then incarcerated in the Brians 1 prison, pending his extradition to France, where he is to serve a 10-year prison sentence. Stunned, his family claims he is the victim of a homonym.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is said to have agreed to transfer the management of the airspace of the Sahara, currently controlled from the Canary Islands, to Morocco, in exchange for the opening of customs offices in Ceuta and Melilla.
Pedro Sanchez is making a state visit to Rabat on Wednesday, the Moncloa announced on Tuesday. The Spanish president is expected to have a face-to-face meeting with King Mohammed VI.
Spain is trying to normalize its relations with Morocco, its main trading partner. But for the moment, it is unable to rebuild ties with this strategic country due to its policy of rapprochement with Algeria.
The hashish trade between Morocco and Spain generates billions of euros per year. The price of a kilo in Morocco doubles or even triples once it reaches Spain.
A violent brawl between Moroccans and Algerians occurred on Thursday on Peris i Valero Avenue in Valencia, leading to the arrest of six people.
The storm currently hitting a large part of southern Spain, including the Algeciras and Tarifa regions, has prompted the authorities to suspend links with Morocco.
After signing the free trade agreement with the United States in 2004-2005, Morocco attracted foreign investors to exploit part of its agricultural land. A windfall seized by many Spanish companies, thus contributing to the development of the primary sector of the kingdom.