Moroccan ambassador to return to Spain
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/31/2003

Morocco's King Mohammed VI decided this Thursday the return of Morocco's ambassador to Madrid, it was officially announced this Thursday. The decision was announced following a meeting between the sovereign and Spain's Foreign Affairs, Ana Palacio, who arrived on the same day in Morocco.

Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Madrid on October 28th 2001, to protest a series of acts that were deemed hostile to Moroccan interests. Spain did the same in July 2002 during the standoff over the Moroccan tiny Mediterranean island of Tourah.

During the audience, Palacio conveyed to the sovereign the greetings of King Juan Carlos I of Spain and of prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar. She also renewed, on behalf of the Spanish government and people, thanks to the sovereign for his decision to allow (oil slick-affected) Galicia fishermen to operate in Moroccan waters.

The sovereign has decided the return of Moroccan ambassador to Spain to resume his mission in the Spanish capital, in implementation of the king's will to endeavor for the normalization of friendship and cooperation links between the two peoples and the two neighbor countries and for the deepening of frank dialogue between the two governments in all fields.

Palacio is accompanied by a delegation comprising Spanish secretary of state for foreign affairs, Ramon Gil Casares, general director for the Mediterranean, the Middle-East and Africa at the foreign department and other officials.

Palacio told MAP the two countries share the will to open a new chapter in their "rich and complex relations," praising the "solidarity gesture of H.M. King Mohammed VI" towards the Spanish fishermen affected by the ecological catastrophe caused by sunken oil tanker "Prestige." The sovereign allowed a group of Spanish fishermen to fish for free in Moroccan territorial waters.

Previous Stories:
  Spanish fm hopeful visit to Morocco will bring good news   (1/30/2003)
  Palacio upbeat about Spanish, Moroccan ambassadors' return to respective posts   (1/28/2003)
  Moroccan-Spanish ties called to return to normal   (1/25/2003)

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