On the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met on Tuesday, September 23, in New York with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares. According to Moroccan diplomacy, the two officials «expressed their satisfaction with the friendship that unites Morocco and Spain and reviewed several issues of common interest». «We discussed our excellent bilateral relations, which have never been better. Our ties of cooperation and friendship are strengthening and advancing in all areas», said the Spanish foreign minister after his meeting with Nasser Bourita. Rabat and Madrid opened a new chapter in their relations after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on March 18, 2022, announced his support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. That same day in New York, José Manuel Albares also met with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. It was their second encounter since February, taking place against the backdrop of a cautious rapprochement between Madrid and Algiers after the crisis triggered by Spain's support for Morocco's autonomy plan. Algeria had recalled its ambassador in March 2022 but reinstated him at the end of 2023. A planned visit by Albares to Algiers in February 2024 to formalize reconciliation remains postponed. While Algeria lifted restrictions on Spanish imports in June, the bilateral friendship treaty is still suspended. Albares nevertheless welcomed a 190% increase in exports and, together with Attaf, reaffirmed their intention to «strengthen friendship and cooperation» between the two countries.
