Spain and Morocco strengthen cooperation on investment, transport, and sustainability

The Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, and the Moroccan Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence, and Public Policy Evaluation, Karim Zidane, have held a high-level meeting to discuss matters of common interest to both countries and propose joint strategies.

The Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, and the Minister Delegate for Investments, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies of Morocco, Karim Zidane, during the meeting they held

The meeting, which took place at the Moncloa Palace, confirmed the excellent political and economic harmony between the two countries, essential for addressing opportunities for joint collaboration that will deepen the integration of both economies into regional value chains, particularly in the Mediterranean and the African continent.

Both leaders stressed the strategic nature of the bilateral relationship and the importance of maintaining a stable framework that fosters joint investments and projects in key sectors such as transport, infrastructure, and sustainable mobility. Óscar Puente took the opportunity to congratulate his Moroccan counterpart on his ambitious transport infrastructure investment plan, which aims to expand the high-speed rail network to 1,300 km by 2040. He conveyed the strong interest of the Spanish transport and infrastructure sector in strengthening its role as a key and trusted partner in the transformation of Moroccan mobility. "Our companies are present and wish to remain so, especially in rail and high-speed transport," he underlined.

Spain also expressed its interest in promoting more balanced and higher value-added trade, as well as supporting Morocco's ambitious investment plans in port, airport, rail, and road infrastructure. In this regard, Óscar Puente noted that Spanish companies are "world leaders" and their knowledge and experience "are recognised worldwide," as demonstrated by the examples of Adif and Ineco, which have a presence in the North African country. Both governments also expressed their commitment to fostering a more stable business climate and strengthening mechanisms for the swift resolution of administrative or contractual disputes.

Memorandum of Understanding on Seismic Monitoring

Within this framework of High-Level meetings, Spain and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding this morning to promote scientific cooperation in the study of seismicity and geodynamics in the Strait of Gibraltar area, a region of common interest to both countries located in the collision zone of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates.

The agreement was signed by the Spanish National Geographic Institute, under the Undersecretariat of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, and the Moroccan National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST). It establishes a framework for collaboration aimed at improving shared knowledge about earthquakes and potential tsunamis. This includes the development of joint studies, the exchange of current and future scientific information, and coordination in the deployment of instrumental observation networks. This memorandum will have an initial duration of three years, with the possibility of extension.

Non official translation

More Info

• Aid from the Immediate Response, Reconstruction and Relaunching Plan

More news

Tags:

• Transports
• Sustainability