Overview

• Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares met unexpectedly with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Holy Thursday to discuss Western Sahara and bilateral cooperation.
• Spain reiterated its endorsement of Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan as the most credible solution to the Western Sahara conflict, reaffirming Rabat's sovereignty over the territory.
• Both countries described their current relations as the best in history, citing increased trust and collaboration since Spain's 2022 policy shift under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
• The meeting reviewed progress on a three-year roadmap established in April 2022, focusing on migration, trade, and regional security cooperation.
• The policy shift continues to draw criticism from domestic political groups like Sumar, who argue it undermines Sahrawi self-determination and human rights.