New Statements From FM Nasser Bourita Regarding Morocco-Spain Crisis
“This crisis is with Spain, which has tried to Europeanize and divert its causes, known to all, linked to management that is not very transparent and contrary to the values of good neighborliness and partnership.”
“The attempt by the Spanish government to Europeanize the bilateral crisis with Morocco is only a headlong rush.” “The resolution of this crisis is in the hands of those who created it because it is not Morocco that is at its origin.” Here is what Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said, at a press conference, regarding the Morocco-Spain crisis.
The press conference was held yesterday Wednesday, on the occasion of the signing of 10 Moroccan-Hungarian agreements by Nasser Bourita and his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó.
Asked by a Spanish journalist about the silence of his ministerial department after Brahim Ghali’s departure from Spain and the Europeanization of the crisis between the two neighboring countries, Nasser Bourita declared that Morocco’s position remains unchanged.
“In fact, we published a declaration on May 31st which clearly stated in four points the position of Morocco in relation to the development of this bilateral crisis.
The crisis did not start with his arrival in Spain and will not end with his departure. This is explained by the fact that it stems from a “broken trust” linked to actions that Morocco has considered to be contrary to the spirit of partnership.
Second, the statement also recalled the inconsistency between Spain’s actions and words on a fundamental issue of separatism facing our two countries. “You cannot fight separatism in your own country and at the same time encourage it in a neighboring country”, adding that “our strictly bilateral crisis with Spain should not be Europeanized”.
Third, Morocco has been very clear that the current political crisis is bilateral. “This crisis is with Spain, which has tried to Europeanize and divert its causes, known to all, linked to management that is not very transparent and contrary to the values of good neighborliness and partnership.”
“Finally, on the migration register, Morocco has no lesson to learn knowing that it has always acted as a partner and it is therefore for those who want to deflect the debate to answer your question.
“From the start, the Moroccan position was clear and I refer you to the declaration of May 31 which specified that the judicial hearing of June 1 of this individual and his departure from Spain would not change anything”, explained the Moroccan minister to his journalist interlocutor.
Moreover, Bourita stated that “our country is satisfied with its relationship with the European Union with which it has developed very effective multifaceted cooperation over the past few years.”
“Fortunately, this reality is mutually recognized and I refer you to several statements to this effect, such as that of the Neighborhood Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi who has just welcomed Morocco’s action in the field of migration, considering that our country is a key player in this domain”, adds the Minister.
In a related context, “a declaration dating from yesterday, Tuesday 8 June, from the EU’s external service reiterated the fact that Morocco is an essential partner for the southern neighborhood and that Europe is delighted to its cooperation with our country in this area.”
Bourita concludes by saying that the current excitement to put the blame on migration issues is “in my opinion counterproductive and will not allow moving forward on a way out of the crisis whose causes, genesis and responsibilities are well known”, suggesting that Moroccan-Spanish reconciliation is not happening anytime soon.