Morocco-Spain relations: Spain wants to overcome difficulties and look to future with optimism

Head of the Spanish government, Jose Maria Aznar, who described himself as "a friend" of Morocco said Spain wants to overcome all difficulties with Morocco, look to the future with optimism and "work together" in all fields, without exception.

The head of the Spanish government who expressed "esteem and respect for His Majesty King Mohammed VI," said "I am a friend of Morocco. I am earnestly endeavoring in this regard and I want stronger ties between our two countries."

The Spanish official was interviewed by MAP prior to his visit to Morocco to chair with Moroccan premier, Driss Jettou, the sixth joint high level meeting this Dec.8-9.

After conceding "we have experienced some political difficulties," he stressed "between neighbors, there are sometimes disputes, but resolve to overcome them must always prevail."

After a series of tensions between the two Mediterranean countries, a major spate opposed in July 2002 Morocco and Spain when a Spanish armada invaded the Moroccan islet of Tourah, in the Mediterranean.

"Henceforth, Spanish and Moroccans should look to the future with more optimism," added Aznar who called for consolidating bilateral partnership arguing that the necessary "political and economic implements do exist."

"No field is excluded from the will to move forward with Morocco," said Aznar who added that the Marrakesh high-level meeting is "an important moment" and "an opportunity to consolidate ties in all walks of life."

"We have an opportunity to draw a good action program for the years to come," he went on.

At the economic level, Aznar recalled the presence in Morocco of over 500 Spanish enterprises that contribute to enhancing trade and investments. Trade and economic exchanges between the two countries are "very strong" and "relations between Morocco and the European Union are very close," he further pointed out.

In this context, he urged for looking with confidence to bilateral relations, arguing that "investors seek security, a stable environment and perspectives for the future."

Aznar who will be leading a large delegation to the sixth high level Moroccan-Spanish meeting in Morocco also expressed his country's readiness to "share its potentials with its friends, its allies and its neighbors" among which Morocco.

Spain is Morocco's 6th largest supplier and 2nd largest customer, selling 16.6% of its exports to Morocco and buying 12.4% of its imports from Morocco. Trade between the two countries soared by 12% in 2002, compared to 2001.

In the first two quarters of 2003, economic ties between Morocco and Spain were worth around 1.4 billion Euro, as compares to 2.6 billion Euros for the whole of 2002. In this period, Morocco's imports were worth 759.6 million Euro and exports were valued at 631 million Euro.