Spanish former premier calls for Spain-Morocco mutual respect, lauds Morocco's efforts for democracy
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/17/2002

The 5th Moroccan-Spanish Journalists conference, held May 14-15 in Seville, agreed Wednesday on a honest and sincere dialogue to bring the two peoples closer.

The conference was organized by the Three Cultures Foundation and the Association of European Journalists to foster better relations between Morocco and Spain, and promote a taboo-free dialogue, so that the two nations know each other better and respect each other.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Spanish former Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzalez, called for resuming dialogue, and blamed the Spanish for what he called "the lessons of democracy they want to give the others."

Relations between Morocco and Spain have been strained over the past months, due to Spanish standpoints hostile to Morocco's territorial integrity. Last year, Morocco called back its ambassador to Spain, when Spanish NGOs held a mock referendum on the Moroccan Sahara.

He warned against having a false image of the other, which would do the two peoples apart more dangerously.

"We should speak clearly, but without offending each other," said the former prime minister, who lauded Morocco's initiative to "revisit" its history, which Spain have not undertaken to do, even 25 years after having set up democracy.

Speaking at the session dedicated to the role of the press in bilateral ties, an official from the Moroccan communication department said the changes Morocco is undergoing are not well understood in Spain. "This change is global, because we have a young and active king, who shows everyday stronger will to advance politically, and reform the country's structures."

The official called the Spanish to look at Morocco with "new eyes" and set up a dialogue based on equality, for fresh Spain-Morocco relations.

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