Morocco has rejected attempts to use the Kingdom as a political tool in Spain’s domestic debates, warning that Rabat will not allow itself to become a “pre-election political pawn” or a scapegoat in political score-settling.
In a statement issued Thursday, Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates said the Kingdom has sovereignly chosen to build its relations with Spain around good neighborliness, political understanding, economic partnership and security cooperation. This approach was given its fullest expression in the April 7, 2022 Joint Declaration following the meeting between King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The Ministry said the framework has enabled both countries to strengthen areas of common interest while addressing differences through dialogue, calm and mutual respect, rather than attempts to impose faits accomplis. It highlighted tangible results in economic and security cooperation, noting that Spain is Morocco’s leading economic partner, while Morocco is Spain’s second-largest trading partner outside the European Union.
On migration, Rabat described cooperation between the two countries as consistently coordinated and effective. It said the events of last July require a thorough investigation to establish what happened, identify any interference or manipulation, and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
The Ministry questioned why accusations continue to be directed at Morocco despite the absence, it said, of evidence, facts or reports establishing the involvement of Moroccan authorities. It also questioned why irregular migrants have not been returned despite Morocco’s official commitment to readmit them, and why unaccompanied minors remain separated from their families despite Morocco’s request for their urgent return.
Rabat further criticized what it described as efforts by some Spanish political and media circles to exploit Morocco for domestic political purposes, warning that populist escalation and accusatory rhetoric could undermine relations. It also expressed concern over initiatives by legislative and judicial institutions that, according to the Ministry, risk fueling discord and a “strategy of fear” detrimental to both countries.
“The Kingdom of Morocco refuses to be used as a pre-election political pawn, nor will it accept being the scapegoat in political score-settling,” the Ministry said. It stressed that geographical proximity between Morocco and Spain is an immutable reality, arguing that political leaders must turn it into an asset for the future rather than allowing “strategic blindness” to transform it into a source of chronic mistrust and recurring tensions.
