The Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, conducted a diplomatic meeting on Thursday with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch during his official visit to Rabat. This visit is noteworthy as it marks the initial diplomatic engagement outside the borders of Spain in the current legislative term. The unannounced meeting, spanning approximately thirty minutes, specifically addressed diverse facets of bilateral relations, emphasizing matters such as migration and economic cooperation.
Sources within the diplomatic community, as reported by “Europa Press,” disclosed that Albares and Akhannouch delved into discussions regarding the collaborative organization of the 2030 World Cup involving Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.
Further in his diplomatic agenda, the Spanish Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. This meeting, part of an invitation extended by Rabat, aims to rejuvenate the roadmap established in April 2022. This roadmap emerged following a pivotal meeting between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Mohammed VI, effectively resolving a diplomatic impasse through Spanish support for the Moroccan autonomy plan concerning the Western Sahara.
Albares commenced his visit to Rabat with an evening arrival, initiating his engagements with a meeting with individuals of Spanish origin in Morocco early on Thursday. Observing protocol, he paid respects to the tombs of the late kings Mohammed V and Hassan II.
Additionally, Albares visited the Spanish school in Rabat, gaining insights into an upcoming project anticipated for completion by 2023. This new educational facility, with an estimated budget of approximately $20 million, is designed to cover an area of about 20,000 square meters and accommodate up to 1,000 students.
During his visit to the school, the Spanish Minister engaged briefly with students, many of whom expressed aspirations to pursue higher education in Spain. Albares underscored the pivotal role of the Spanish school in fostering “human connections” between Spain and Morocco, emphasizing that the efforts of its educators contribute significantly to a nuanced understanding of the Spanish language and culture.