Plans for a subsea tunnel that might ultimately connect Europe’s high-speed rail network to North Africa have been revived by the governments of Spain and Morocco with the assistance of EU financing.

According to a June 16, 2023 article in Spain’s state gazette, Spain has allocated €2.3 million (£2 million) on a design study for the Gibraltar strait fixed link, a railroad tunnel intended to connect the two nations.

The Spanish Society of Studies for a Fixed Link via the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA), the organization charged with investigating alternative options for the project, will get the financing, which is granted through the EU’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.

The project, also known as the “Europe-Africa Gibraltar strait fixed link,” has gained a lot of momentum since its start in 2009. The project will be restarted in April of this year, according to both governments. The proposed tunnel would span the nine-mile continental divide.

The idea was first proposed in the 1970s and codified in the 1980s, but little progress has been made since then. The organizations responsible with conducting the investigation lacked the necessary funding, and the joint committee established to advance the tunnel hasn’t met since 2009.

In 2018, Morocco’s first high-speed rail line opened, reviving expectations for a quick train link between Europe and Africa. Spain already has a sizable high-speed rail infrastructure that reaches the country’s southern coast. The beginning of a high-speed rail line connecting Tangier, Morocco, with Rabat and Casablanca has recently been established.

At a meeting in April, Spain’s transport minister Raquel Sanchez emphasized the project’s significance, saying, “After fourteen years, from Tangier in October 2009, we are going to give impetus to the studies of a project of maximum geostrategic importance for our countries and for relations between Europe and Africa.”

In addition, Sanchez said, “We are beginning a new stage in the revival of the fixed link project across the Strait of Gibraltar, which we launched in 1981, hand in hand.”

Read Also: A bridge will finally link Morocco to Spain, not a tunnel

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Despite being signed over a year ago, the agreement between Spain and Morocco to open the Ceuta border for commodity transit remains unimplemented.

The agreement was made in April 2022 to increase the flow of products between the Spanish city and the adjacent Moroccan areas. However, no items have been carried between the two countries since then, according to the Spanish news site Internacional.

The lack of progress has been blamed on the lack of a customs office at the border, as well as worries about the kind of goods that may be crossed, the constraints they would face, and the quality of the food.

Customs technicians have been assigned to investigate these concerns, but progress has been slow.

According to records received by Internacional from the Spanish Tax Agency, the Ministry of Finance has no intentions to implement the Ceuta accord, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to the pact. This comes as Spain and Morocco work to repair their bilateral ties following months of turmoil.

Despite the lack of movement, the Spanish government has guaranteed the people that the deal will be implemented. The project has a €1.5 million budget, with intentions to adjust both the physical infrastructure and the administrative requirements of a customs crossing of products.

The government delegate in Ceuta also stated that the desired customs office will be of the regional variety, facilitating contact between two nearby districts. However, the potential benefits of the accord will remain unfulfilled until the agreement is fully implemented and goods flow between the two countries restarts.

Read Also: Ceuta border between Spain and Morocco closed amid migrant crossing

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Given the wide-ranging interests the two nations have, Spain must have “the best relations” with Morocco, according to José Manuel Albares, the country’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

“We must maintain the best relations with Morocco, a country with which we share many challenges,” emphasized Albares, who appeared as a guest on a show on the Spanish television network “24 Horas” on Wednesday night.

The diplomat emphasized the close links that bind the two nations in all spheres, saying that “relations with Morocco must be a state policy implemented for mutual benefit.”

A million Moroccans reside among us and contribute to the economic and social development of our nation, according to the head of the Spanish business association. “More than 6,000 Spanish companies export goods worth 12 billion euros to Morocco, 1,200 Spanish companies are established directly or through their subsidiaries in Morocco, cooperation in judicial and security matters allows to dismantle jihadist networks threatening both countries, and we fight against mafias active in human trafficking.

The minister praised the effective management of the migration issue between Rabat and Madrid and noted that, in the first quarter of 2023, the number of irregular migrants arriving in the Canary Islands decreased by 63% while rising by 95% and 300%, respectively, in Greece and Italy.

In this regard, Albares gave a favorable evaluation of the new phase that was initiated between the two nations a year ago, stating that it is founded on “more solid principles.”

The Spanish government’s stance on Morocco is unmistakable and unequivocal. The Declaration of April 7, 2022 and the Joint Declaration approving the 12th High Level Meeting both convey this position, according to the Minister.

This position is founded on cooperation, respect for one another, abstinence from meddling in other people’s internal issues, and responsibility,” he said in summary.

The two nations are committed to, among other things, addressing issues of mutual interest in a “spirit of trust and consultation,” while reactivating the working groups established between the two nations to revive multi-sectorial bilateral cooperation, in accordance with the roadmap, which was adopted on April 7, 2022, in celebration of King Mohammed VI’s invitation for the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, to visit Morocco.

Morocco and Spain emphasized their resolve to uphold the superb ties that have always brought them together and reaffirmed their determination to further them in the Joint Declaration released at the conclusion of their 12th High-Level Meeting, held on February 1 and 2 in Rabat.

A number of cooperation agreements were struck during this time between the two parties in a number of areas, including control of immigration, tourism, infrastructure, water resources, environment, agriculture, vocational training, social security, transportation, health security, and research and development.
Read Also: Pedro Sanchez: Morocco, ‘friendly’ country and ‘fundamental ally’ for Spain’s security and development

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Madrid – Spain’s PM, has emphasized the excellent cooperation ties with Morocco and the “strategic importance” of maintaining the “best relations” with the Kingdom.

“It is in our interest to maintain the best relations not only for Spain but also for the European Union,” Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday during a debate in the Congress of Deputies

The Spanish executive chief said he “will always defend the preservation of good relations with Morocco,” noting that “facts and reality confirm the importance of Morocco for Spain and Europe.”

According to him, trade with Morocco increased by 33% last year to reach almost 10 billion euros, and the number of unauthorized immigrants arriving has significantly decreased.

Read Also: Military cooperation: Spain delivered 30 million euros worth of weapons to Morocco in 2022

“Of all the migratory routes to Europe, the only one that has decreased is that from Morocco to Spain,” said Sanchez.

In this regard, the next High Level Meeting between Morocco and Spain is “important” in that it will give bilateral cooperation a boost. This was stressed by Spain’s PM.

The two countries are committed, among many other things, to addressing issues of common interest in a “spirit of trust and consultation,” in accordance with the new roadmap that was adopted last April during Pedro Sanchez’s visit to Morocco at HM King Mohammed VI’s invitation.

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According to Spain ‘s PM Sanchez, who presided over the 7th Conference of Spanish ambassadors posted overseas, this new phase of ties between the two nations would help develop “mutual trust.”

The Spanish president also emphasized the necessity of North African “stability” in order to “advance towards a more beneficial collaboration.”

“Stability and security must continue to be a major focus in our southern neighborhood,” he added.

“I mentioned before that we will hold a meeting with the southern neighborhood at the European level during the Spanish Presidency of the European Union to execute and develop this constructive agenda that we must have with our southern neighbors,” Sanchez said.

According to the new plan, Spain and Morocco are committed to, among other things, addressing matters of shared interest in a “spirit of trust and dialogue” and reactivating the working groups they established to rekindle bilateral multisectoral collaboration.

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European Union and Spanish Cooperation Minister Jose Manuel Albares referred to Morocco as a trustworthy and important ally. In the last week of January, he said, there would be a high-level meeting with Morocco, the first of its kind since 2015.

Albares, in an interview with the agency “Europa Press”, stressed that this summit will give new impetus to the bilateral relationship between the two countries, noting that trade between the two countries has increased by about 30 percent, this year 2022.

The reopening of the customs in the occupied Melilla and the opening of new customs in the occupied Ceuta will be approved, according to Albares, by the High Joint Commission between the two kingdoms.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Spanish Cooperation explained in the same statement that both countries want the opening to be orderly and progressive, noting that there are images from the past that we do not want to relive, and specifically excluding the appearance of a so-called atypical trade.

He referred to Morocco as a trustworthy and important strategic partner and stated that it is important to open the door gradually in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.

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When asked about the high-level meeting between Spain and Morocco during his participation in the 9th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Fez this week, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that no precise date had been agreed.

According to a Spanish official reported by Spanish media, the summit’s planning primarily relies on the priorities of King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

We are discussing a meeting that hasn’t taken place in seven years, and it is extremely complicated due to the large number of ministers involved, whether from the Spanish or Moroccan side, as well as the fact that the international agendas of the head of state and the king of Morocco are particularly burdened by the current state of the world, he said. Setting a date for the high-level meeting is just a matter of time, according to Albares.

Nasser Bourita, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, co-chaired the Global Forum with Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the Deputy Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

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As stated in the Joint Declaration issued at the conclusion of talks between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President of the Spanish Government Pedro Sánchez, Spain reiterates its support for the autonomy plan. a senior representative of the Spanish Foreign Ministry.

“Spain acknowledges the significance of the Sahara issue for Morocco as well as Morocco’s serious and sincere efforts inside the UN framework to establish a mutually acceptable settlement. Therefore, Spain views the 2007 Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, practical, and trustworthy basis for resolving this conflict, emphasizes the joint statement cited by the Spanish diplomat.

The Moroccan-Spanish Declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the visit to Morocco, at His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s invitation, and Mr. Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish government.

The President of the Spanish Government’s letter to His Majesty the King on March 14, 2022, and the Sovereign and President of the Spanish Government’s phone call on March 31, 2022, both started a new chapter in relations between the Kingdoms of Morocco and Spain.

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Morocco and Spain have issued a joint statement following talks between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish government, who is visiting the Kingdom at the Sovereign’s invitation as part of a new phase of cooperation between the two nations.
Here follows the full text of the joint statement:
“On April 7, 2022, the President of the Spanish Government, H.E. Pedro Sánchez, made an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
During this visit, His Majesty the King and His Excellency the President of the Spanish Government held extensive bilateral talks.
The following statement was adopted at the conclusion of these discussions:
The letter sent by H.E. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Spanish Government, to His Majesty King Mohammed VI on March 14, 2022, as well as the telephone conversation between the Sovereign and the President of the Spanish Government on March 31, have opened a new chapter in Morocco-Spain relations.
Morocco and Spain, conscious of the enormity and strategic importance of the connections that bind them, as well as the legitimate aspirations of both peoples for peace, stability, and prosperity, are launching a new phase in their bilateral relationship today.
This new stage responds to His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s call to “inaugurate a new stage in relations between the two countries” and His Majesty King Felipe VI’s call to “walk together to materialize this new relationship” based on the principles of transparency, continuous dialogue, mutual respect, compliance, and implementation of commitments and agreements signed by both parties. It also reflects the desire of H.E. Pedro Sanchez, President of the Spanish Government, to “build a relationship on more solid foundations.”
Both countries aspire to build a long-term and ambitious roadmap in this spirit.
The visit of the President of the Spanish Government to Morocco is an important moment to consolidate this roadmap and to define the priorities of the next High Level Meeting, to be held before the end of this year.
On this basis, the new roadmap includes the following elements:
1. Spain recognizes the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco, as well as Morocco’s serious and credible efforts in the framework of the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution. As such, Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for the resolution of this dispute.
2. Matters of common interest will be dealt with in a spirit of trust, in consultation, far from unilateral acts or faits accomplis.
3. Full normalization of the movement of persons and goods shall be restored in an orderly manner, including appropriate customs and personnel control arrangements at land and sea.
4. Passenger shipping between the two countries shall be restored immediately and gradually until all frequencies are open.
5. Preparations for the Paso del Estrecho/Marhaba operation will be initiated in the same perspective.
6. The working group on the delimitation of maritime spaces in the Atlantic seaboard will be reactivated, with the objective of making concrete progress.
7. Discussions on the management of airspace will be initiated.
8. Cooperation in the area of migration will be reactivated and strengthened. The Permanent Spanish-Moroccan Group on Migration will meet soon.
9. Coordination within the framework of the respective presidencies of the Rabat Process, during the period 2022-2023, will be carried out in such a way as to highlight the exemplary cooperation between the two countries in this field, in favor of a comprehensive and balanced approach to the migration phenomenon.
10. Sectoral cooperation will be reactivated in all areas of common interest: economic, commercial, energy, industrial and cultural, among others.
11. The facilitation of economic exchanges and links between the two countries will be the subject of a meeting soon.
12. The field of education, vocational training and higher education will be a priority in this new stage. A specific working group will be established for this purpose.
13. Cultural cooperation will be strengthened. In this context, a sectoral working group in the field of Culture and Sports will be established. A new impetus will be given to the Board of Directors of the Three Cultures Foundation.

14. The activity reports of the established or reactivated meetings and working groups will be presented at the High Level Meeting.
15. The two countries will initiate exchanges on the updating of the 1991 Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, based on the principles, parameters and priorities that should guide their bilateral relations in the coming years.
16. His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the President of the Spanish Government, H.E. Pedro Sánchez, will appoint a committee in charge of the implementation of the present statement, within a period of 3 months”.

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