Latest news with #Moroccan-Spanish
Maroc
4 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, Spain Sign MoUs For Four Catalan Projects of 500 Million MAD Investment
Four memorandums of understanding were signed on Wednesday in Rabat to implement investment projects totaling 500 million Moroccan dirhams (MAD), spearheaded by Catalan companies. Concluded during a meeting between Morocco's Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence, and Policy Evaluation, Karim Zidane, and a large delegation of Catalan companies led by Josep Sánchez Llibre, President of Foment del Treball—the main employers' confederation of Catalonia—these agreements pertain to projects expected to create over 700 direct jobs in the cities of Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra. These projects span various sectors, including the automotive industry, waste recovery, packaging, and construction materials, reflecting Morocco's ability to turn exchanges into concrete, job-creating initiatives for its youth. As part of efforts to strengthen Moroccan-Spanish economic relations, the meeting provided an opportunity for Zidane to highlight Morocco's exceptional investment appeal and to emphasize the Kingdom's ambition, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to become a competitive and sustainable regional hub. The commitment of the Catalan companies, he noted, confirms the relevance of this trajectory, adding that the four projects reflect the willingness of these companies to contribute to Morocco's industrial development. According to him, these investments are the result of an increasingly attractive business climate, made possible by reforms undertaken by Morocco (including simplification of procedures, digitalization, and the strengthening of regional investment centers). For his part, Foment del Treball President Josep Sánchez Llibre expressed his satisfaction with the warm welcome extended to the Catalan business delegation, which came to explore investment opportunities in such a strategically important country as the Kingdom of Morocco. He highlighted the determination of these companies to strengthen their presence in Morocco, noting that these investment projects mark the beginning of a lasting and structured commitment to mutually beneficial economic development. "Catalan investments will continue to flow into Morocco. I can already announce that within a year, we will return with a new delegation of around twenty Catalan companies to explore further investment opportunities," he said. Furthermore, the Spanish Ambassador to Rabat, Enrique Ojeda Vila, welcomed the mission of the delegation, which contributes to consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries. In addition to their geographical proximity, Spain and Morocco are each other's main economic and trade partners, Ojeda Vila noted. MAP:29 mai 2025
Ya Biladi
09-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
Marhaba 2025 : Record surge in travelers expected for Morocco-Spain crossing operation
The «Marhaba 2025» crossing operation is expected to see a significant increase in the number of travelers and vehicles, with passenger numbers projected to rise by 4% and vehicle numbers by 5% compared to 2024, which saw over 3.4 million travelers and 847,000 vehicles cross. This estimate was made during a meeting of the Moroccan-Spanish Joint Committee, held Wednesday in the Spanish city of Cádiz, to finalize the reception and organization plan for this major operation, which will begin on June 15 and continue until September 15, 2025. In response to the anticipated rise, 12,012 sea trips have been scheduled between the two shores of the Mediterranean, representing an 8.4% increase compared to last year. Logistical and human resources are being bolstered to ensure a smooth and safe crossing. This bilateral coordination aims to facilitate efficient mobility, reduce congestion at ports, and provide full support to the Maghreb community, which annually crosses from Europe to Morocco for the summer holidays. Over 20 Spanish institutions, at both national and regional levels, are participating in the operation, alongside approximately 29,000 personnel from security forces, health teams, the Red Cross, translators, and social assistants. Susana Crisostomo, an official from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, confirmed that the crossing operation «represents a successful model of regional cooperation», emphasizing that «the key to success lies in constant coordination and prior planning between Morocco and Spain». On the Moroccan side, the delegation was led by Khalid Zerouali, Director of Migration and Border Control, along with senior officials from the Moroccan Embassy in Madrid, the Royal Gendarmerie, and several relevant ministries.
Ya Biladi
30-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Spain : The Moroccan Navy's Avante 1800 patrol vessel to be delivered in 2026
The construction of the new Avante 1800 offshore patrol vessel for the Royal Moroccan Navy is progressing steadily, according to Defense Atlas. Built by the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, the project officially began with the steel cutting in July 2023, followed by the keel laying in September 2024 at the San Fernando shipyard. Delivery is expected by mid-2026. Estimated at around €260 million for two units, the program reflects Morocco's long-term commitment to strengthening its naval capabilities. The deal also includes an option for one or two additional vessels. Originally launched under Moroccan-Spanish naval cooperation, the project was suspended during the 2021 diplomatic crisis. It was revived after Spain backed Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara, with a €95 million loan from Santander Bank facilitating the final agreement. • First images of the construction progress of the Avante-1800 corvette for the Royal Moroccan Navy ?? • The ship will have a displacement of 2020 tons with a length of 87 meters • Equipped with a deck for helicopters or vertical take-off drones • Combat and armament systems have not yet been disclosed • Design of Avante 1800… — Defense Atlas - المرصد الأطلسي للدفاع و التسليح (@DefenseAtlas009) April 28, 2025 The Avante 1800 will join a modernizing Moroccan fleet that already includes the FREMM frigate Mohammed VI and three SIGMA-class corvettes. Featuring a modular design, the ship can adapt to various mission profiles, including exclusive economic zone surveillance, anti-trafficking and anti-pollution operations, search and rescue, rapid intervention, and support for combat divers. Measuring 87 meters in length and displacing 2,100 tons, the vessel offers a range of 4,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 26 knots. It includes a flight deck for 10-ton helicopters, a hangar for drones or light helicopters, and two 8-meter fast boats. Although the armament for the Moroccan version has not been officially confirmed, it is expected to include: A 76 mm main gun, 35 mm and 12.7 mm guns, surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles. It will also likely be equipped with electronic warfare systems, 3D radar, IFF, sonar, and passive defense systems. Inspired by export versions sold to Venezuela, the Moroccan Avante 1800 incorporates stealth features to reduce radar and thermal signatures, enhancing survivability in combat operations.
Ya Biladi
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Spanish Civil Guard Intelligence head visits Morocco to strengthen security cooperation
The Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, received Brigadier General Luis Peláez Piñeiro, head of intelligence at the Spanish Civil Guard, accompanied by a high-level security delegation, in Rabat on Wednesday. This visit is of particular significance as it marks the first foreign visit by this senior Spanish security official since his appointment, according to a DGSN-DGST press release. The choice of Morocco for this initial trip underscores the strength of the strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fight against terrorism and cross-border organized crime. Discussions between the two leaders focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the security field and strengthening the partnership between the two nations to ensure coordinated efforts in addressing security challenges linked to their shared regional neighborhood and terrorist threats in global conflict zones, particularly the Sahel-Saharan region. The talks also covered the various joint security operations between Morocco and Spain, which have proven successful and effective in neutralizing security threats at both regional and international levels. Additionally, discussions included mechanisms for coordinating and consolidating efforts to ensure the success of the 2030 World Cup, to be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, particularly in terms of mitigating risks and threats to public safety. This meeting underscores the paramount importance of Moroccan-Spanish bilateral cooperation in the security field, representing a model of effective and regular collaboration in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and irregular migration. It also reflects the two countries' firm commitment to coordination and proactive measures in addressing various emerging threats and dangers.
El Chorouk
18-04-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Moroccan Regime's Provocative Position Against Algeria From Spain
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita exploited his meeting with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, to undermine the return to normal relations between Algeria and Madrid. This was nearly two years after a severe diplomatic crisis following Spain's shift in position on the Western Sahara issue. At a joint press conference in the Spanish capital, the Foreign Minister of the Alaouite Kingdom sent coded messages to Algeria, full of impudence and provocation, and embarrassment to the Spanish side. He said, 'Not everyone is happy with the current level of Moroccan-Spanish relations,' implicitly referring to Algeria. The intention of the Alawite official is revealed in the following statement: 'There are those who want to turn this relationship into an element of political debate or a subject of outbidding, or to throw it back to a time of conflict and problems. But the will of the leadership in both countries, and the real actors involved, lays the foundations that prevent a regression.' Rabat's Foreign Minister goes too far when he uses the term 'informants,' referring to a third party seeking to destroy his country's relations with the Kingdom of Spain, as he claimed. The Spanish foreign minister's remarks indicate that he is attempting to place the blame for the crisis in Spanish-Moroccan relations in 2021 on a third party, Algeria. Even though everyone knows that the cause of the crisis lies in the Moroccan regime's involvement in spying, using the sionist Pegasus spyware, on the phones of several senior officials in its northern neighbor, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares, Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska Gomez, and Defense Minister Margarita Robles. Algerian-Spanish relations entered a dark tunnel more than three years ago, following the shift in Spain's position on the Western Sahara issue. This led to the withdrawal of the ambassador from Madrid and the imposition of painful economic sanctions on the Spanish side, which were only lifted about a year ago. The Spanish Foreign Minister's statements violated diplomatic norms, as they were made from the platform of a host country that had recently restored relations with Algeria. This represents a major embarrassment for the Madrid government, which has expended significant efforts and considerable time to restore its relations with Algeria after its economic institutions, which export to Algeria, incurred heavy losses for nearly two years of the crisis. A similar incident involving the Moroccan regime previously led to the severing of diplomatic relations. This refers to statements made by the sionist entity's Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, more than four years ago, in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, during a joint conference with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. He attacked Algeria in an unprecedented manner that had never occurred in any Arab or Islamic country. It is well known that this shameful incident, which implicated the Moroccan regime, was among the reasons that prompted the Algerian authorities to sever diplomatic relations with Rabat in the summer of 2021. They also imposed painful economic sanctions, such as halting the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, which exported Algerian gas to Spain via Moroccan territory. The Alawite regime benefited from this pipeline by gaining a certain rate of the gas, along with millions of dollars in fees for the pipeline's passage through Moroccan territory. Although the Algerian authorities have not commented on the indirect provocations issued by a senior official in the Alawite regime, this will not go unnoticed and will be considered an unfriendly act by the Spanish side, which could affect the recovery of bilateral relations.
