Spain and Morocco Strengthen Cooperation Amid Spanish Government Rift Over Western Sahara

On December 4, 2025, Spain and Morocco held their XIII High-Level Meeting in Madrid, marked by strengthened bilateral cooperation through the signing of fourteen agreements. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Ajanouch focused on modernizing ties across sectors such as digital transformation, education, disaster prevention, agriculture, and fisheries. Among the agreements were Memorandums of Understanding targeting the combat against hate speech, enhancement of tax cooperation, scientific collaboration on seismic risks in the Strait of Gibraltar, and joint efforts in sustainable fishing and agriculture. Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, signed key MOUs with Moroccan counterparts emphasizing innovation, water management, and anti-illegal fishing initiatives, with oversight committees established to monitor progress.

Nevertheless, the summit highlighted deep political divisions within the Spanish government regarding the Western Sahara dispute. Spain officially welcomed the October 31 UN Security Council Resolution 2797 endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most feasible solution to the long-standing conflict. Sánchez reaffirmed Spain’s support for this plan, considering it serious and realistic. However, this stance stirred discord in the coalition, notably with Second Vice President Yolanda Díaz and the Sumar party abstaining from the meeting and voicing strong opposition.

Díaz publicly denounced the government's concession to Morocco, asserting, “We will not cede an inch of Sahrawi land,” and advocating for a referendum for Sahrawi self-determination. Sumar’s Sahrawi MP, Tesh Sidi, criticized PSOE’s handling of the issue. The political rift underscores tensions within Spain on how to address the Western Sahara conflict amidst efforts to deepen ties with Morocco.

The summit also faced criticism for its lack of transparency, as no joint press conference was held post-meeting, frustrating journalists. While cooperation focused heavily on migration, border security, and economic projects—such as preparations for the 2030 World Cup—the joint declaration omitted explicit mention of Ceuta and Melilla, though it implied progress on customs arrangements. Yet local business groups expressed concerns over Morocco’s trade barriers hampering effective commerce.

In conclusion, the summit advanced multifaceted agreements poised to deepen Spain-Morocco relations but exposed domestic political fractures over Western Sahara policy, highlighting the complex intersection of foreign cooperation and internal Spanish governance dynamics.