Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita has reportedly held a meeting with Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez, on the sideline of the European Union – African Union Summit in Brussels this weekend, according to Spanish media.
Sanchez confirmed the news to Spanish media this Friday, February 18 at a press conference following the EU-AU Summit.
The president stated that he had a “conversation” with Bourita the day before, adding that both parties “agreed on the need to advance in the strategic relationship between Spain and Morocco.”
The head of the Spanish executive, who reported on the summit, said he was also able to talk with the leader of the Polisario Brahim Ghali, present at the Summit this week, who reportedly entered Belgium with an Algerian passport.
According to the Spanish press, Nasser Bourita and Ghali “have both participated on Thursday in a round table discussion on peace and security,” co-chaired by Sanchez.
Sanchez additionally spoke at a table discussion on migration the following Friday, which was co-chaired by the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Spanish president also stressed, at the press conference, that “Morocco is a strategic partner for Spain” and that the bilateral relationship should be deepened, in partnership with the EU.
Factually, this interaction has seemingly not resulted in any new agreements, as Sanchez told the press he once again, agreed with Bourita, “on the need to move forward in the strategic relationship between Spain and Morocco, to inaugurate an unprecedented bilateral partnership.”
Spanish sources stressed after the press briefing that “the restoration of full normality in bilateral relations is well underway and that talks such as the one between Sanchez and Bourita should contribute to this.”
The months-long crisis has persisted, since Spain hosted the separatist Polisario leader El Ghali on its territory, to Morocco’s great disappointment.
Despite an operational liaison office, the Moroccan ambassador to Spain has yet to resume her functions since she was first recalled to the country at the beginning of the diplomatic spat.
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