Morocco calls Spain to clarify its position regarding Morocco
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/25/2002

Morocco's secretary of state to foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, called Spain to clarify its attitude vis-a-vis Morocco and reconsider the way it works and cooperates with Morocco, on the basis of mutual trust and reciprocal respect.

The official who was interviewed by the Moroccan TV channel "2M" said Morocco wants Spain to clarify its positions and is open to do the same if Moroccan stances are not clear enough, as claimed by some circles in Spain.

He also recalled that the Moroccan government has noted recently a number of actions, initiatives and decisions taken by the Spanish government, harming Morocco's higher interests. These attitudes concern the Moroccan Sahara issue, the Spanish-occupied northern towns of Sebta and Melilia, Morocco's sea wealth and the continental plateau off Tarfaya.

He said Morocco was surprised by this sudden convergence of a series of actions, attitudes, behaviors and statements and decided to recalls its ambassador in a precise act meant to express Moroccan anger.

He also denied that Morocco's recalling of its ambassador was an excessive measure, explaining that it rather tallies this series of gestures, actions and decisions that run counter to rapprochement and of all previous statements and commitments.

He also insisted that Morocco, which is bound to Spain by a friendship, neighborliness and cooperation treaty, has never undertaken a decision that is hostile to Spain. It is also within a spirit of openness that all issues are addressed, he stressed, citing an example the opening of negotiations on fisheries.

He further argued that the two countries need to appraise their relations, make a clarification work and define together modalities of cooperation between them, as two equal partners seeking rapprochement. Last October, Morocco recalled its ambassador to Madrid for consultation after a series of Spanish anti-Moroccan attitudes and stands.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco protests Spanish decree on oil drill between Moroccan coasts and Canary Islands   (2/1/2002)
  European official deplores persistence of Morocco-Spain crisis   (1/22/2002)
  Spanish NGOs, socialist party condemn Melilia authorities decision to expel families of delinquent minors   (1/16/2002)

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