Morocco insists on comprehensive handling of pending issues with Spain

Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, reaffirmed on Tuesday that pending problems between Morocco and Spain should be addressed in a comprehensive approach.

The official told the Chamber of Advisors (upper parliamentary chamber) Morocco wants a detailed survey in order to shed light on the reality of problems in order to "renovate the framework" of their cooperation and reconsider the methods of action and dialogue. He went on that neighborliness requires that the two countries be heeding each other's concerns of and hold an "honest and frank" dialogue.

Fassi Fihri said Morocco called back its ambassador in Madrid last October after a series of practices that harm our country, after the kingdom refused to renew a fisheries agreement with the European Union and after Spain threatened to take sanctions against Morocco, asked the EU to enforce sanctions against Morocco and adopted a hostile attitude regarding the issue of illegal immigration.

He went on that Spain sought to escalate the tension when it took stances and moves that jeopardize Morocco's national interests, both regarding the Kingdom's territorial integrity in the north and in the continental shelf.

Fassi said Morocco was forced to take the ambassador calling back decision to express its discontent and dissatisfaction over these attitudes and to send a strong signal to Spain on the need for a comprehensive and frank dialogue in order to realistically address pending issues.

Morocco wants to lay down new bases that take into account Morocco's attachment to effectively implement the 1991 friendship, neighborliness and cooperation treaty.