Spanish local official considering visit to Morocco this month

Head of the local Andalusian government (southern Spain), Manuel Chaves, might visit Morocco this month, said Andalusian presidential advisor, Gaspar Zacarias.

This eventual visit will be an opportunity to review cooperation projects between Andalusia and Morocco, the source told "Europa Press" news agency, hoping that Moroccan-Spanish relations will be restored soon. The settlement of some pending problems like fisheries and immigration goes through dialogue and cooperation between the two sides, said Zacarias.

Morocco called last October its ambassador in Spain for consultation, in view of the accumulation of some stands on the part of Spain.

The local official also pointed out that the trans-border development plan, featuring several cooperation projects in Moroccan northern regions, is ready.

Zacarias further called Spanish central authorities to make a gesture toward Morocco and set in place mechanisms to normalize relations with Morocco.

Regarding a recent visit by head of the Spanish opposition socialist party (PSOE), Jose Rodriguez Zapatero, who has been criticized by several Spanish circles, he said any initiative meant to normalize relations between the two countries is "highly positive."