Morocco

RABAT, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco is keen to strengthen ties with Spain after a rift between the two countries this spring, Moroccan King Mohammed said, though he added the crisis had shaken mutual trust.

“We are keen today to strengthen (ties) bearing in mind the need for a common understanding of the two nations’ interests,” he said in a speech.

However, he added that Morocco would not accept “that its best interests be trampled on”.

28 July 2021; MEMO: Morocco has arrested an Uyghur activist following a warrant issued by China accusing him of terrorism.

Concerns are growing that BelgiumUyghur/ will now be extradited to China, which has used the pretext of terrorism, or counterterrorism, to crackdown on Uyghurs in East Turkestan.

RABAT, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) and Israeli national carrier El Al signed a memorandum of understanding on the promotion of Moroccan tourist destinations, after the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2020, ONMT said Monday.

The signing followed Sunday's inauguration of the first two direct commercial flights between Israel's Tel Aviv and Morocco's Marrakech, operated by El Al and Israir that operates international charter services from Ben Gurion International Airport.

24 July 2021; MEMO: Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita urged on Friday that those who accuse his country of spying must provide tangible proof, while hinting that Rabat might take legal action.

This came in an interview with the French magazine Jeune Afrique, at a time when Morocco faces accusations of spying on the phones of public personalities using the Israeli Pegasus spyware.

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco’s government has denied reports that the country’s security forces may have used spyware made by Israel’s NSO Group to eavesdrop on the cellphones of France’s president and other public figures.

The French prime minister said Wednesday that multiple investigations are under way into any eventual wrongdoing.

16 July 2021; MEMO: Morocco and Israel yesterday signed the first bilateral cooperation agreement in the field of cybersecurity.

The head of the Tel Aviv diplomatic mission in Rabat, David Govrin, explained on Twitter that the agreement will allow Morocco and Israel to participate in "operational cooperation, research and development, and the sharing of information and knowledge."

RABAT, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on Sunday underscored the importance of Libya's upcoming general elections which are expected to lay the foundation for long-term stability in the Maghreb country.

Morocco supports the efforts of the Libyan legitimate institutions to prepare for the next elections, Bourita told the press following his talks in Rabat with visiting head of the Libyan transitional government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

22 June 2021; MEMO: Spain's announcement that it is willing to consider any solution proposed by Morocco regarding the Western Sahara issue is a victory for Moroccan diplomacy and may contribute to easing tension, an expert in international relations believes.

12 June 2021; MEMO: The Moroccan House of Representatives on Friday denounced a resolution issued by the European Parliament (EP) regarding the crisis between Rabat and Madrid on the issue of immigration to the Spanish-administered city of Ceuta.

This came in a statement issued by the Moroccan Parliament following an emergency meeting with the heads of parliamentary blocs late on Thursday night.

11 June 2021; MEMO: The German Embassy in Rabat said on Thursday that the Moroccan authorities are refusing to provide services to German citizens in the country, without giving reasons, Anadolu has reported.

"Since 1 March, Morocco has unilaterally suspended its cooperation with the embassy as well as with German institutions, and also severed all channels of contact with the embassy, including the Consular Affairs office."