Rabat – Morocco remains committed to dialogue with Spain on maritime border delimitation while upholding international law, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasized at a seminar on “International Practices in Maritime Space Delimitation.”
Bourita, speaking through his chief of staff, Sami El Marrakchi, stressed that Morocco’s maritime strategy under King Mohammed VI is guided by three principles: defending territorial integrity, adhering to international legality, and rejecting unilateral border claims. He reiterated Morocco’s preference for peaceful, transparent, and constructive negotiations with Spain, viewing dialogue as a bridge rather than a division.
Beyond borders, Morocco’s maritime vision focuses on leveraging ocean resources for national and regional development, including the blue economy, port expansion (Tanger Med, Dakhla Atlantic), and a competitive national fleet. Key initiatives include the Rabat Process (2022) for African Atlantic maritime cooperation, the Royal Initiative providing Sahel countries Atlantic access (2023), and the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline (2016) to boost regional industrialization and stability.
Bourita also highlighted Morocco’s maritime sovereignty milestones: establishing the Royal Navy (1960), National Fisheries Office (1969), territorial waters (1973), exclusive economic zone (1981), and continental shelf laws (1992, updated in 2020). He emphasized that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is a dynamic tool, advocating reforms to address technological, environmental, and strategic maritime challenges.
The seminar brought together international legal experts, including Mohamed Bennouna (IIL) and Yuji Iwasawa (ICJ), fostering dialogue on best practices in maritime governance and international law.
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