The Moroccan and Spanish foreign ministers said their countries would hold talks about overlapping areas of ocean that they both claim rights to in the North Atlantic. The territorial waters Morocco has claimed include the coast off Western Sahara, a territory that has been contested between Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front since the Spanish colonial period ended in 1975. “In case of overlaps, international law requires states to negotiate,” said Bourita following talks with his Spanish peer, Arancha Gonzalez Laya. “Morocco rejects unilateral acts and fait accompli,” he said, adding that Spain was a “strategic partner” and Morocco’s largest trading partner. “Morocco is a source of stability for Spain,” she said, citing “close cooperation” in the fight against jihadists and illegal migration.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 24, 2020 20:03 UTC