Contact: Mourad Beni-ich, 571-214-0842

VIENNA, Va., July 19, 2013 /Standard Newswire/ -- The State visit King Juan Carlos I conducted to Morocco on July 15th was considered by many observers a very clear indication from Madrid to ameliorate its relationship with Rabat, especially that the official delegation accompanying the Spanish monarch consists of many key ministers in the government along with many businessmen and investors seeking new horizons in Morocco.

Whether it is the current global economic crisis or a genuine approach that pushed the Moroccan Northern neighbor to seek new investments in Morocco, it is clear that both nations will benefit from a serious economic partnership and the determination of the Spanish government to move forward with Morocco. There is no doubt that Spain has endured serious economic hardships and so did Morocco since the collapse of the economic market in 2008, such a crisis enforced putting all differences apart and made both countries think of how to get out of it with minimum damage. Morocco is a fertile country with tremendous opportunities for foreign investors, and many European countries started thinking seriously to develop its relationship with it and create a platform upon which the flow of investments can flourish. Morocco became economically attractive to many foreign investors due to its safe environment and the flexibility of the laws governing foreign investments as well as geostrategic position.

One of Spain's principal concerns is the heavy flow of illegal immigrants from Africa, thousands of whom set off for Spanish shores from Morocco every year, often in shoddy rafts that are barely seaworthy. This issue presents the two countries with a major humanitarian issue, and the Spanish monarch said in a speech in the Moroccan parliament that "We cannot permit the seas that unite us to become mass graves filled with men and young women, struggling and brave, disoriented and misadvised."

On top of illegal immigration, there is a far more serious problem that affects, not just the two countries, but the world at large: terrorism. There is no doubt that this global phenomenon spread like cancer in every society, and religious fanaticism and radicalism became the main threat to the world's peace and stability. Both Spain and Morocco fell victims to horrendous terrorist attacks, and since the tragic events of 9/11, the security services of both countries collaborated their efforts to tackle the spread of this terrorism Northwards, especially with the founding of the Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which is a branch of Al-Qaeda in Northern Africa and Sahel, and its efforts to destabilize the region and export terrorists to Europe and from there to cross the Atlantic, and needless to mention that the Moroccan security services have warned their Spanish counterparts of the terrorist attacks that struck Madrid in 2004, which had 40 out of the 61 terrorists involved of Moroccan origin. But giving the limited financial resources of Morocco and its ongoing problem with the separatists of "Polisario," it is important that Spain invests in the war on terrorism with Morocco, and also takes a firm and a positive approach to the conflict of Sahara. The latter is considered by many analysts the cause of the instability in the region, and there are many reports linking "Polisario" with members of AQIM and also its involvement in organized crime and human trafficking. There is no doubt that the Spanish role in solving the problem of Sahara is so vital due to its many years of occupation of the Southern territories of Morocco, and its verdict on the conflict can result a permanent solution to the conflict between Morocco and "Polisario," the front that is acting as a proxy in its war on behalf of the neighboring Algeria.

The official visit of the Spanish monarch to Morocco made an end to many speculations that the Moroccan-Spanish relationship is at its lowest level for decades; King Juan Carlos I is well known for his close relationship with the Moroccan royal family and his desire to strengthen the Spanish ties with Morocco marked his reign since 1975. Morocco has always been his favorite destination and he always appreciated how the entire country receives and welcomes him whenever he visits the country. And this latest visit is no different from the previous ones; only this time it happened in a very critical times wherein political and social turmoil are making headlines all over the region, yet Morocco has been witnessing a passive social demands for reforms and a wise approach from the Moroccan sovereign who implemented immediate constitutional, political, economic and social reforms, which made Morocco an envy, especially that most of Arab countries have gone through violent demands led to dramatic outcomes and political instability.

Morocco - Sahara

The Kingdom of Morocco is a country of a vital and strategic geographic position, relatively stable politically, and it is working so hard to improve its economy and solve its social issues. All the layers of the society put the national interest above personal differences, and this has been proven for the last two years; while most of Arab countries experienced violent demonstrations which led to changing regimes, the Moroccan monarch could absorb the socio-economic pressure and implemented many changes to sustain the stability Moroccans always enjoyed. This quality of governing attracts many foreign entities to explore new horizons and flourish the Moroccan economy, and Spain realized that it is not in its national interests to keep tension rising between the two countries and began changing its approach towards Morocco.

The concluding official statement of the official visit emphasized on sustaining the strong ties between the two nations; it highlighted the key issues both countries will coordinate their efforts to solve. This visit of the Spanish monarch earned Morocco an extra advantage in its diplomatic negotiations about the Moroccan Sahara; King Juan Carlos I stressed that Spain will not cease supporting all resolutions regarding the Sahara conflict under the framework set by the United Nations (UN). Such a statement is a blow to the separatists who always bargained on the Spanish support, and this clearly indicates that Spain is now realizing where its best interests lie.

Also in the closing statement, Spain is showing the willingness to join efforts with Morocco to fight the rising radicalism and terrorism in the region of Sahel and Sub-Saharan countries. With the recent terrorist attacks on civilians and foreign workers in the region, it is crucial now more than ever before to the Spanish national security to partner with a side of the caliber of Morocco that has showed enough competence and efficiency in its dealing with terrorism and radicals. The political and social stability in Northern Africa is crucial to the Spanish economy and that of Morocco as well as that of the European Union.

All in all, Morocco has always been a beneficial partner to Spain, and the latter understands very well that it cannot do with marginalizing the pivotal Moroccan role in North Africa. The future looks very promising after this visit and now it is down to implementing what the two monarchs have agreed upon during their extensive meetings, and it will not be long before we can all start seeing the results.