Even before landing in Rabat this afternoon, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, had a telephone conversation with the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI. La Moncloa has reported that both leaders have agreed that the high-level meeting between Spain and Morocco, to be held this Thursday, “will be a success.”
The Government had not confirmed that Mohamed VI was going to receive Sánchez in audience, taking advantage of his presence in Rabat, since the custom is that it is the Moroccan Royal Palace that, if necessary, announces it. The telephone conversation that took place today already hinted that this meeting would not take place in person on this occasion. Especially considering that, in the information disseminated by Moncloa and corroborated by the Moroccan Royal House, it is announced that the President of the Government has accepted an invitation from the Alaouite monarch during the talk, to make an official visit to Rabat “soon”.
Sources from the Spanish Executive have confirmed that, in fact, Mohamed VI is currently traveling outside of Morocco. The high-level meeting between Spain and Morocco, which will take place tomorrow, will bring together the presidents and ministers of both governments.
Sánchez and Mohamed VI have agreed in any case during their conversation, according to the Government, “to continue promoting the relationship between the two countries”, on the occasion of this first high-level meeting in eight years, “thus contributing to consolidating the new stage of relations between Morocco and Spain”.
Moncloa sources have reported that the call lasted half an hour, “the usual duration of an audience in person.” This, they have assured, “demonstrates the personal involvement of the King of Morocco in achieving the best results from this high-level meeting.”
The Moroccan Royal Cabinet has also issued a statement after the telephone conversation between Mohamed VI and Sánchez, which it has defined as a “warm meeting”, in which the monarch “greeted the development, in trust and mutual respect, of the new phase of the bilateral association since the meeting of April 7, 2022” between the sovereign and the Spanish president. “The commitments contained in the joint declaration adopted on this occasion have been substantially implemented,” the text highlights.
“In order to reinforce this positive dynamic in the excellent bilateral strategic association, the King has invited the head of the Spanish Government to make an official visit to Morocco in the near future. This visit will be an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations, through concrete actions marked by efficiency and tangible projects in strategic areas of common interest,” the statement said.
