Spanish congress speaker hails king's determination to consolidate democracy in Morocco

The speaker of the Spanish Congress of deputies (lower house), Federico Trillo Fijueroa, who has just wound up a visit to Morocco hailed the determination of King Mohammed VI to consolidate democracy and the rule of law in the kingdom.

In a statement to MAP bureau in Madrid, Trillo said that in Morocco, the image of the king plays a key role in the political system, and that the accession to the throne of King Mohammed VI marks the beginning of a new historical phase whose first signals consecrate the continuity of the political overture process initiated by the late King Hassan II.

Paying tribute to the sovereign's determination to further consolidate the democratic process and the rule of law, the Spanish speaker said economic and social changes operated in the past years, the new international context and the backing extended to Morocco by its friends will all undoubtedly contribute to the consolidation of the rule of law and the constitutional monarchy.

The Spanish official, who voiced optimism as to this process, said Morocco which shares with Spain eight centuries of history can always rely on the backing of the Spanish king, government and people.

Touching on the issue of fisheries, he said that the two countries which are bound by a close cooperation cannot accept that this difference negatively impacts on their expanding relations.

While in Morocco, Trillo was received by King Mohammed VI and conferred with several Cabinet members on Moroccan-Spanish cooperation, cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies, the Sahara issue as well as the issue of fisheries.