The Guardian: Progress in plan to build a tunnel linking Spain and Morocco

Talks between Morocco and Spain have given a new impetus to a plan to build a tunnel between the two countries, as the minister of Equipment and Transports, Karim Chellab, met Spanish development minister, Magdalena Alvarez, in Tangier last week within the framework of the visit to Morocco by King Juan Carlos of Spain, reported, Tuesday, The Guardian.

The idea was first raised in the 1970s, and an initial agreement was signed in 1980, but a number of political, financial and technical problems hindered the realization of the plan, recalled the paper.

Highlighting the fact that "a new spirit of cooperation" was now established between the two countries, the daily pointed out that Alvarez informed Ghallab that "plans for the tunnel had been included in the Spanish cabinet's new transport infrastructure plan."

The two ministers are to meet next May to inspect the drilling work already under way, said The Guardian, noting that no timetable has so far been set up for the completion of the project, which will be financed by Morocco, Spain and the EU.