Rabat will not accept to open a new page with Spain unless Madrid takes Moroccan issues seriously

Morocco will not accept to open a new page with Spain unless Madrid takes Moroccan issues seriously, far from any hostile attitude, said Moroccan minister of culture and communication, Mohamed Achaari, Thursday.

Achaari told reporters at a press briefing following the cabinet weekly meeting held under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi that Morocco is constantly ready for dialogue with Spain, and that Morocco is deeply attached to the defense of its interests.

Relations between Morocco and Spain are strained due to Madrid's hostile attitude towards Morocco. The accumulation of a number of attitudes and stands on the part of Spain, concerning mainly Morocco's national cause, prompted Rabat to call back its ambassador to Madrid for consultation last October 28.

Morocco also blames Spain for the ambiguity and contradiction marking its stand and for the way Spain has constantly behaved vis-a-vis Morocco, a behavior that has not always been based on equality and on the spirit of cooperation and neighborliness, but rather on a condescending vision and on decisions made unilaterally.

Morocco had invited Spain to open a new era in relations between the two countries, based on mutual trust, serene and fruitful dialogue and on a constructive cooperation, marked by trust.