The Importance of Geostrategic Alliance Between Morocco and Spain
Vienna – The official visit to Morocco of the newly crowned Spanish Monarch, His Majesty King Don Felipe and Queen Dona Leitizia began on Monday July 14th, 2014 following the invitation of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, which will last for three days.
This is the first official foreign visit King Felipe is conducting after being crowned King of Spain, it comes as no surprise why he chose Morocco as his first destination, and it comes after one year of the State visit conducted by King Juan Carlos of Spain to Morocco.
This is an important visit and it bears many significant icons. In the midst of the political and economic turbulences hitting the international community, more especially the MENA region, and due to the recent Moroccan diplomatic revival regionally, continentally and globally, Spain must have realized the importance Morocco is possessing in the international community. The recent stated visits conducted by the Moroccan monarch, besides the domestic policies implemented, proved to be fruitful and led to political stability and a growth and steadiness in the Moroccan economy.
Morocco and Spain have been sharing, for centuries, a strong economic, political and cultural heritage. It is impossible that the two nations would do without each other. The Kingdom of Morocco is a crucial partner to Spain, and through it the European Union. Morocco holds a pivotal role in the war on terror. With the recent self-proclamation of the Islamic State in parts of Iraq and Syria, and its determination to attract more recruits and spread terror beyond the region of the Middle East.
There is no doubt that a strong partnership between Madrid and Rabat will enable both countries to tackle radicalism and terrorism by coordination between all security agencies and King Mohamed VI’s recent instruction to the government to begin training Imam’s in order to promote the true Islamic rituals and teachings. A move that will keep radicals and religious fanatics away from reaching out to their recruits in poorer areas. This new policy can benefit Spain as well as there is a large Islamic community living in the Iberian Peninsula.
Economically, Spain will surely benefit from the new economic reforms King Mohamed VI implemented in Morocco. The latter became an attraction to foreign investors from all corners of the world. In addition, due to the downfall of the European and global economy, Morocco can be the perfect alternative for Spanish businesses and investors.
This royal visit will also push for tightening bilateral relations and coordinating with the Moroccan government to create a more mutual and beneficial agricultural relationship.
Morocco is crucial to the Spanish national security and stability, and with more concrete and solid conventions between the two monarchs, there is a great hope that the two nations will prosper and create more understanding between the policies of the two governments.
[symple_box color=”blue” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]Mr.Beni-ich holds a BA in Law, a BA in Political Sciences, a MA in Security and Intelligence Analyses, a MA in Global Terrorism and a PhD in International Politics. His studies were pursued in England and the U.S.
Mr.Beni-ich began his career as a lawyer working for the British Home Office (The Ministry of Interior) as well as The British Foreign Office. Mr.Beni-ich gave many lectures in the United States regarding the current affairs in the MENA region, both in universities and organizations. Mr. Beni-ich is currently based in Washington, DC where he lobbies for the Moroccan affairs and coordinates with many U.S. officials and Think-Tanks to promote Morocco’s interests, both in the United States and Morocco.
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