Madrid had ended one year of diplomatic crisis in March by recognizing the autonomy plan proposed by Rabat on Western Sahara, territory claimed by Sahrawi Independentists.
Le Monde and AFP
The port of Tangier will be able to resume normal activity. Morocco will reopen, Tuesday, April 12, its maritime links for passengers with Spain, as a result of the standardization of relations between the two countries, said Monday night the Ministry of Transport.
“The shipping companies will gradually resume their passenger services between the Moroccan ports of Tangier Med and Tangier-Ville and the Spanish ports of Algesiras and Tarifa,” said the department in a statement. If the recovery of regular passenger traffic and coaches is scheduled Tuesday, motorists will have to wait until April 18th.
Located on the North Coast of Morocco, on the Strait of Gibraltar, just 14 km from the Spanish coast, Tangier is one of the largest ports of the Mediterranean, with Marseille and Algesiras. 40 km east of the city was built the Tangier Med industrialist complex, operational since 2007 and whose terminals have treated more than 7 million containers in 2021.
Pedro tour. Sanchez in Rabat
Divided with Spain, Morocco had so far maintained the prohibition of maritime traffic with passengers with Spain, a mode of transportation prized by Moroccans residing in Europe after the reopening of its maritime borders , closed due to the pandemic of Covid-19.
But Madrid ended nearly one year of crisis on March 18, after having operated on the issue of Western Sahara and recognized the Moroccan autonomy plan for this played territory. The Western Sahara conflict – vast desert territory rich in phosphates and very fishy waters – opposes Morocco to the Sahrawi Independentists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria. While Rabat advocates a status of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, the Polisario claims a referendum of self-determination under the aegis of the UN.
Reconciliation between Spain and Morocco was sealed Thursday with the Visit to Rabat of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The two neighboring countries decided to “inaugurate an unprecedented stage” of their partnership. “We will proceed to the progressive reopening of border crossings to ensure an orderly flow of people (…) and the goods will also normally flow,” had promised the Spanish leader.
