Spain Interior Minister: Morocco Is a Loyal Partner to Madrid

Spanish Minister of Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska. (EPA)
Spanish Minister of Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska. (EPA)
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Spain Interior Minister: Morocco Is a Loyal Partner to Madrid

Spanish Minister of Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska. (EPA)
Spanish Minister of Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska. (EPA)

Spanish Minister of Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska stressed on Friday that Morocco is a "loyal" and "fraternal" partner with which Madrid maintains "excellent" ties.

"Morocco is a state that cooperates with Spain. It is a loyal partner and, of course, I would even say fraternal," Grande-Marlaska said to the press.

The relations between Spain and Morocco are "so satisfactory" and the mutual trust is "so important", the Spanish minister added, highlighting the April 7 Joint Declaration that launched a "new stage in the bilateral partnership."

"There is no need to worry, because relations between the two countries are exceptional and excellent," he stressed.

In September, the Spanish government welcomed the "intense" strategic partnership between Spain and Morocco, which reflects "a new stage" based on "transparency, permanent communication and mutual respect.

"We have an intense bilateral program covering all aspects of our bilateral relationship, based on transparency, permanent communication and mutual respect. These are the principles of a sincere cooperation between two strategic partners like Spain and Morocco," said Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares after meeting with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.



US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
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US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)

The US State Department’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi militias as a “foreign terrorist organization” has been welcomed by the legitimate Yemeni government, but has triggered UN concerns over its impact on humanitarian access, with the international body calling for “guarantees.”

While Yemeni reports suggest the designation could economically strangle the Iran-backed Houthis, fears are mounting that the move may push them to derail the fragile truce, resume the war against the government, and escalate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis.

It renewed its call for the international community to take similar steps to dry up the militias' funding, arms supplies, and to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring stability and peace in Yemen.

In a statement, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the country has long suffered from the ravages of war and Iranian interference.

It called the US designation a reinforcement of its partnership with the United States and its allies in the fight against terrorism, hoping it will help curb activities that threaten the security of its citizens, the region, and global maritime trade.

The statement also affirmed Yemen's readiness to cooperate fully with international partners to ensure the effective implementation of the designation, aiming to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and promote peace and security in the region.

Amid concerns over the impact of the US designation on humanitarian efforts in Houthi-controlled areas, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for US guarantees.

During a press briefing, he emphasized that the designation should be accompanied by “appropriate assurances” to ensure effective humanitarian aid delivery and to allow civilians access to essential goods and services.

Dujarric also highlighted the UN’s focus on humanitarian response in Yemen, where nearly 19 million people require life-saving assistance, and 17 million are at risk of famine.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the role of the private sector in securing basic needs.

Dujarric cautioned that any disruption in the flow of commercial goods and humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences, particularly in a country that relies on imports for around 90% of its food supply.