Moroccan King calls for new model of cooperation with Spain, affirms bilateral partnership is a sovereign choice

Rabat, Oct 9 (KUNA) -- Moroccan King Mohammed VI called on Friday for the adoption of a new model of cooperation with Spain, emphasizing that the partnership between the two countries is “a sovereign choice and a voluntary commitment” that will never be subject to any pressure, threat, or blackmail. In a speech marking the opening of the new legislative year, King Mohammed VI said that Moroccan-Spanish cooperation in combating illegal migration had yielded tangible results, but recurring crises had revealed the limits of the current model. This call comes in the wake of the migration crisis that engulfed the city of Ceuta in late July, when tens of thousands of people entered the city, sparking controversy over the management of their return to Morocco, particularly unaccompanied minors. The Moroccan monarch announced that his country would present its partners with a document outlining a clear and practical strategic vision that charts a new direction for cooperation based on joint development, enhanced economic competitiveness, and regional stability. It is worth noting that Morocco held legislative elections on September 23, with the Authenticity and Modernity Party emerging as the top winner. Following the results, King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zahra Mansouri as prime minister, pending the completion of political consultations and the announcement of the formation of the new government. (End) M.R.Y./M.A.H.A.