King Mohammed VI called for a new approach to Morocco’s migration cooperation with Spain at parliament’s opening. He criticised legal and judicial obstacles to returns and said partners would receive a strategy document centred on shared development and competitiveness. His speech proposes a change in the cooperation model, while the announced document has not been presented as a completed bilateral agreement.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI called for a new migration-cooperation model with Spain at the opening of parliament on October 9. He said cooperation with Morocco’s neighbour had advanced in several areas, including action against irregular migration, but that the existing model had become outdated. His speech proposed a different approach to recurrent migration crises and announced that partners would receive a strategic document.[1], [2]
The king criticised legal provisions he considered outdated and court decisions he described as disconnected from conditions on the ground. He alleged that these constraints obstructed returns of unaccompanied minors and some people claiming asylum. These are his assessments of the legal arrangements and asylum claims. His remarks do not constitute an independent determination that courts acted unlawfully or that the people concerned lacked valid protection claims.[1]
He also accused some political and media circles of irresponsible exploitation of migration without identifying them individually. Morocco’s partnerships, he said, were sovereign choices and voluntary commitments that should not be exposed to pressure, threats or blackmail.[1]
Mohammed VI said the document would set out a clear, practical strategic vision centred on shared development, economic competitiveness and regional stability. He described Morocco as a partner that honoured its commitments and expected the same treatment from others. The announced document is intended to establish a new approach to cooperation. The speech did not announce a completed agreement with Spain, an end to bilateral cooperation or new migration rules entering into force.[1]
