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Morocco and Spain signed an extensive series of cooperation agreements in Madrid, spanning foreign policy, economic affairs, justice, transportation, agriculture, maritime fisheries, education, scientific research, sports, and sustainable mobility. The signing took place during the 13th High-Level Meeting, co-chaired by Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with the participation of ministers from both countries.
In foreign policy, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares signed an MoU on feminist foreign policy, aimed at promoting dialogue and the exchange of expertise to advance gender equality within both nations’ diplomatic frameworks. The ministers also signed an MoU to reinforce cooperation between the Moroccan Institute for Training, Research, and Diplomatic Studies and the Spanish Diplomatic School, enabling shared training programs and enhanced development of young diplomats. A related MoU on diplomatic mobility further supports training opportunities and mutual understanding of each country’s public policy priorities.
Institutionally, a Declaration of Intent between Morocco’s General Secretariat of the Government and Spain’s Ministry of the Presidency, Justice, and Parliamentary Relations seeks to modernize Morocco’s Official Printing Office through strategic updates, capacity building, and the creation of reliable performance indicators. Another MoU on documentary heritage and digitization aims to facilitate cooperation in archive management, preservation practices, and digital access to documentation.
In justice, Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Albares signed an MoU enabling the digital exchange of international legal assistance requests, supported by a joint working group tasked with evaluating relevant legal and technological needs.
Economic relations were bolstered through an MoU on tax cooperation signed by Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui and Albares, covering expertise-sharing, adaptation to global tax reforms, modernization of collection systems, and technological innovation in tax administration.
Bourita and Spain’s Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz Delgado, also endorsed a joint declaration against hate speech, particularly discrimination targeting migrant workers, outlining mechanisms to prevent and combat such acts through coordinated, long-term action.
Scientific collaboration deepened through an MoU between Morocco’s National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) and Spain’s National Geographic Institute, focusing on joint research into seismic activity, geodynamics, lithospheric structure, and monitoring systems for earthquakes and tsunamis across the Iberian-Maghreb region.
Agriculture ministers Ahmed El Bouari and Luis Planas Puchades signed an MoU advancing cooperation in agroecology, farm modernization, food security, training, and technical exchanges, aimed at promoting sustainable and resilient agriculture.
In maritime fisheries, Secretary of State Zakia Driouech and Planas signed an MoU covering aquaculture development, combating illegal fishing, digital verification of catch certificates, and improving the exchange of trade information on fishery products.
Education cooperation was strengthened through an agreement governing the teaching of Arabic and Moroccan culture in Spanish schools in Morocco, signed by Moroccan Education Minister Mohamed Saad Berrada and his Spanish counterpart María del Pilar Alegría Continente. The ministers also signed an MoU on sports cooperation addressing anti-doping, the prevention of harassment and discrimination, support for athletes with disabilities, and exchange of expertise through training and international activities.
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Saiz Delgado and Moroccan Health and Social Protection Minister Amine Tahraoui signed a joint decision extending, for two more years, the MoU on social protection and social security, with the aim of reinforcing institutional cooperation and improving governance and coordination. Collectively, these agreements reflect the commitment of Morocco and Spain to deepening their strategic partnership and advancing cooperation across numerous sectors for development, modernization, and regional stability.
