The Diplomat
King Mohammed VI yesterday sent a letter of congratulations to King Felipe and Queen Letizia on the occasion of the National Day, in which he expresses his “great satisfaction” for what he considers “excellent relations” between Spain and Morocco, according to the official Moroccan news agency MAP.
In his letter, the Alaouite monarch points out that the “ties of solid friendship” between the two countries are based on “fruitful cooperation and mutual consideration”.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the “solid bonds of friendship that unite the two Royal Families” and expressed his “sincere wishes for the health and happiness of the sovereigns and the illustrious royal family of Spain, and for greater progress and prosperity for the Spanish people”.
Mohamed VI’s letter is the first he has sent to the King and Queen of Spain since the bilateral crisis that began in April following Spain’s reception of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali in a hospital.
This is a new gesture by the Moroccan king, who on 20 August spoke in a public speech of his desire to “inaugurate an unprecedented stage” in relations with Spain, based on “trust, transparency, mutual consideration and respect for commitments”.
Although there have been some actions that indicate a better climate of understanding, such as greater collaboration to stop irregular migrants entering Ceuta and Melilla, Morocco has not yet reinstated its ambassador in Madrid, whom it recalled for consultations in protest at the reception of Ghali. Nor has there been an expected visit to Rabat by the Foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, to meet with his Moroccan counterpart, Naser Bourita, who has been ratified in the new government that emerged from the latest elections in the Maghreb country.
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