First it was Spain, then France…and finally, the UN Security Council, which gave its approval to Morocco’s plan for autonomy in the Sahara after decades of calling for self-determination for the Sahrawi people in the face of occupation. Pedro Sanchez praised this decision, which is in line with the shift he gave to the historical position on the Sahara in 2022, in the joint declaration of the high-level meeting (RAN) between Spain and Morocco, which took place on Thursday in Moncloa, amid uncertainty, with restricted access to the media and without a subsequent press conference.
“The Head of Government reiterated Spain’s position on the issue of Western Sahara, expressed in the Joint Declaration of 7 April 2022. In this sense, Spain welcomes the adoption of Resolution 2797 of the United Nations Security Council, of 31 October 2025, which fully supports the work of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate and conduct negotiations on the basis of Morocco’s proposal for autonomy with the aim of reaching a just, lasting and acceptable solution to the conflict” to all parties, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and welcomes any Constructive proposals from the parties in response to the autonomy proposal, which affirms that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution” for a mutually acceptable solution, states the eighth point of the Joint Declaration.
Sanchez supported Morocco’s proposal for “autonomy in the Sahara” as a “more serious, realistic and credible” basis for resolving the conflict, thus changing Spain’s historical position. This came after one of the most serious diplomatic crises between the two countries after the humanitarian reception of Polisario Front leader Ibrahim Ghali, which led to the Alawite Kingdom opening the borders, which led to thousands of people entering Ceuta and calling for consultations with the ambassador in Madrid.
Congress rejected this change in position, as did the government’s minority partner. In fact, the second vice president, Yolanda Díaz, used the RAN celebration to question this decision. He said in a video clip broadcast on social media that ended with: “We will not give up a single centimeter of desert land.” Today and forever, long live the free desert. No minister from Somar participated in the meeting in which 14 memorandums of understanding were signed on various topics, ranging from women’s diplomacy to cooperation in natural disaster management, agriculture and fishing.
Since the redirection of the initial crisis of sending thousands of people to Ceuta, making the militarization of the beach including tanks among the images of history, a process of reshaping relations has begun in which Morocco has always prevailed, making it clear that it has the upper hand.
The main reason why Morocco, an essential and indigestible partner for Spain and the European Union, is to manage migration. It is one of the references that appear in the joint statement. “The two countries agree on a preventive, constructive and comprehensive approach to migration, with excellent results at the bilateral level,” the text reads.
This understanding essentially involves Spain and the European Union paying money to Morocco and not getting involved in its internal politics in exchange for preventing migrants from reaching European territory. “The two countries committed to strengthening their efforts in the fight against illegal immigration, human trafficking, document forgery and human trafficking by adopting effective measures and developing cooperation with third countries, among other ways,” the joint statement said. “In this sense, Spain welcomes Morocco’s exemplary and sincere cooperation in these areas.”
Spain pays tribute to Mohammed VI
The text, signed by Sanchez and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, said: “Spain welcomes the dynamic of openness, progress and modernity that Morocco is experiencing thanks to the modernization reforms led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in particular the new development model, advanced regionalization, the national strategy for sustainable development and new social projects.”
The praise for the monarch comes weeks after the mobilization of Generation Z, the youngest face in Morocco, demanding changes in the country, especially in the areas of education, health and social justice. The marches were repeatedly aborted by Moroccan security forces, leading to the arrest of hundreds.
The text also refers to the agreement regarding the customs of Ceuta and Melilla, although the results were not as expected. “Spain and Morocco are pleased with the quality of practical cooperation between their customs administrations and intend to strengthen it. Spain and Morocco agree to continue and diversify their technical cooperation in customs matters, in particular the exchange of experience and technical knowledge in matters of common interest, including new tools to combat fraud and smuggling and the application of artificial intelligence to customs control,” the text reads, which also refers to the organization of the FIFA World Cup. 2030.