Persian Realm

As custom dictates, Spain's new leader heads to Morocco on his first official trip abroad. There are some difficult topics to be tackled, but Mariano Rajoy wants to warm Madrid's relations with Rabat. 

Other irritants include security and immigration issues as well as the thorny question of Western Sahara, a region Morocco annexed in 1976 after former colonial power Spain moved out.

Spanish PM looks for closer ties with Morocco :

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Diplomatic Relations during Franco's Era

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The sultan of Morocco a visiting the Caudillo in Spain 1942 :

Rabat, Spain''s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy concluded last night an official visit to Morocco during which he met with King Mohammed VI of Morocco.The Spanish Premier also held talks with his Moroccan counterpart Abdelilah Benkiran on bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in addition to ahost of issues of mutual concern. In a joint press conference, the Spanish Premier underlined his country''s support for the reforms launched by the Moroccan monarch. 

He noted that his visit reflects the strategic importance of the relations between the two countries and aims at further bolstering the friendship between Rabat and Madrid. 

Rajoy said that he had agreed with the Moroccan Prime Minister to hold a high-level summit between the two governments during this year. He noted that the summit, which will coincide with the 21st anniversary of the signing of the treaty of friendship between the two countries, will enable the reinforcement of bilateral cooperation. 

The Spanish Prime Minister arrived in Rabat yesterday on his first official visit outside the European Union. 

Other irritants include security and immigration issues as well as the thorny question of Western Sahara, a region Morocco annexed in 1976 after former colonial power Spain moved out. Both Bekirane, from the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), and Rajoy, who heads a right-leaning government, were elected in November. (More Here)

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