Spanish Colonel: Morocco is an Indispensable Ally and Spain Must Maintain Good Neighborly Relations
Colonel Pedro Sánchez Erath has called for the maintenance of strong ties with Morocco, emphasizing that it is an ally that cannot be dispensed with amid the geopolitical changes facing Spain and Europe. During a speech at the “La Nueva España” club, the colonel stated that global transformations necessitate enhanced cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly with Morocco, which he described as a necessary strategic partner.
Erath, an expert in international security and peace issues, discussed the shifting contours of the global order, reaffirming that “reality asserts itself” at a time when the United Nations has become merely a platform for expressing demands, and idealism is no longer the standard. He highlighted that the Sahel and Sahara regions pose a serious security challenge, having shifted from marginal zones to focal points of growing terrorism, placing Europe’s southern borders, including Morocco, at the heart of prioritization.
The colonel explained that these areas, where communities largely depend on agriculture and herding, are fragile and prone to explosion due to resource disputes, indicating that “any instability in the region could escalate into a widespread humanitarian crisis.” He stressed that the geopolitical void cannot remain empty, noting that China and Turkey are exploiting it to expand in North Africa, prompting Spain to adopt a proactive policy towards its southern neighbors.
Relations with Morocco, despite being acknowledged as important by several Spanish officials, also raise concerns among some political and military circles, particularly regarding the occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The former Spanish ambassador to Rabat, Jorge Dezcallar, stated in an interview with the newspaper “La Razón” that Morocco will not abandon its demand for the return of the two cities, while the right-wing party Vox warned of the “risk of a new Green March supported by Trump,” referring to a potential rapprochement between Morocco and a future U.S. administration that could reshuffle the region’s dynamics.
