Spain rejects allegations over airspace transfer to Morocco, defends bilateral relations

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares rejected accusations from Jon Iñarritu, a deputy of the Basque pro-independence party EH Bildu, regarding the transfer of airspace control in Sahara to Morocco.

Iñarritu had raised concerns during a  session in Parliament, suggesting the move was part of a political maneuver which Albares dismissed as “hoaxes” and urged Iñarritu to avoid advancing “strange theories” linked to the opposition Popular Party (PP).

The controversy over Sahrawi airspace management has deepened in recent months. In November, Aniceto Armas González, a Spanish parliamentarian from the GPPLU coalition, accused the Spanish government of planning to transfer Air Traffic Services (ATS) for Sahara to Morocco.

González, citing unnamed sources within the Spanish aviation sector, warned that such a move would undermine Spain’s sovereignty and violate international commitments.

He characterized the proposal as a “backdoor surrender.”

Since Spain’s departure from the region in 1975, it has managed the airspace over Western Sahara from the Canary Islands, a responsibility recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Morocco has long sought control over the territory’s airspace, and negotiations between Spain and Morocco to transfer control have intensified since 2022.

This process gained momentum after Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara in a bilateral agreement signed in April 2022.

Albares, however, defended the move, emphasizing that Spain and Morocco operate under a “clear and transparent roadmap.”

Albares also stressed the strength of Spain-Morocco relations, particularly in security and trade. The two countries have cooperated closely on issues such as counter-terrorism and human trafficking.

Economic ties have flourished, with trade exceeding 21 billion euros in 2023. Spain remains Morocco’s largest trading partner, with over 17,000 Spanish companies exporting to Morocco and more than 4,000 Spanish businesses operating there.