Morocco and Spain signed a wide range of cooperation agreements on Thursday in Madrid, covering foreign policy, the economy, justice, transport, agriculture and fisheries, education and scientific research, sports and sustainable mobility. The signings took place during the 13th High-Level Meeting, co-chaired by Morocco's Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with several ministers from both sides in attendance. Foreign ministers Nasser Bourita and José Manuel Albares signed a Memorandum of Understanding on feminist foreign policy, aimed at strengthening dialogue, the exchange of experience and mutual learning to better integrate gender equality into both countries' diplomatic strategies. The two officials also signed MoUs between their diplomatic training institutes and another on the mobility of young diplomats, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of public policy and strategic issues in both countries. Institutional cooperation was expanded through a declaration of intent between Morocco's General Secretariat of Government and Spain's Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Parliamentary Relations to support the modernization of the Official Printing Office. Another MoU on documentary heritage and digitalization will promote the exchange of expertise in archival management and digital preservation. In the justice sector, ministers Abdellatif Ouahbi and José Manuel Albares signed an MoU enabling electronic exchanges of international judicial assistance requests, supported by a joint working group. Economic cooperation was reinforced through a tax cooperation MoU signed by finance minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui, focusing on expertise sharing, coordination on global tax reforms and technological solutions for more efficient tax administrations. Bourita and Spain's minister of inclusion Elma Saiz Delgado also signed a joint declaration to counter hate speech, particularly against migrant workers. Scientific collaboration was strengthened with an MoU between Morocco's CNRST and Spain's National Geographic Institute, covering seismic studies, geodynamics and early-warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis. Agriculture ministers Ahmed El Bouari and Luis Planas signed an MoU on sustainable farming and food security, while a separate fisheries agreement covers aquaculture, combating illegal fishing and the digital validation of catch certificates. Education ministers Mohamed Saad Berrada and Pilar Alegría signed an agreement governing the teaching of Arabic and Moroccan culture in Spanish schools in Morocco, followed by an MoU on sports cooperation addressing anti-doping, harassment prevention and inclusion. Finally, Spain's minister of inclusion Elma Saiz Delgado and Morocco's health minister Amine Tahraoui signed a decision extending their social protection cooperation agreement for two years.
