Spain has said it hopes for improved relations with its Arab neighbour and offered help in carrying out reforms less than a week after ending a military standoff with Morocco.
In an unusually conciliatory tone, Foreign Minister Ms Ana Palacio called for the "reconstruction" of relations between the two nations on an "equal footing" and for the Morocco to offer a "clear political outline" of its intentions to help re-establish links.
She praised "the reforms undertaken by [Morocco's] King Mohammed VI to modernise the country, strengthen its institutions, consolidate democracy and deepen its relations with its Maghreb [northwest African] neighbours". She offered Spain's help with these reforms wherever needed.
The minister's remarks came after Spain and Morocco last weekend ended a military crisis triggered by Morocco placing troops and flags on a tiny rock on July 11th that Spain claims it has owned for centuries.
Spanish troops dislodged the Moroccans nearly a week later without a single shot being fired. Spain then removed its troops from the islet as both sides agreed to leave it as a no-man's land for the moment.
AP