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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Spanish‐Moroccan Economic Relations

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The prospects for an effective Euro‐Mediterranean Partnership depend in part on some key bilateral relationships, one of which is the subject of this study. Spanish‐Moroccan relations constitute an important example of North‐South relations in the Mediterranean, although naturally some of their features are specific to the countries involved. While economic relations between Spain and Morocco are competitive in certain areas, the broader picture is of complementary interests which are likely to grow as the development of these countries intensifies. A programme of economic reform since the 1980s has prepared Morocco for greater development cooperation with Spain and the EU, but the economy remains over‐protected by the state. Further reforms recommended by the World Bank are seen as a means of avoiding a deepening of the gulf between North and South.