250 Years of Moroccan-Portuguese Friendship: A Strong Alliance Renewed by Clear Support for the Autonomy Initiative

ALDAR / Meryem Hafiani

A joint communiqué was issued following high-level talks between the foreign ministers of Morocco and Portugal, in which Lisbon expressed its full support for Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative as a realistic and credible solution to the Sahara conflict. This Portuguese position comes within a rapidly evolving regional and international context and reflects Portugal’s active involvement in efforts for stability and development in North Africa.

However, the political dimension was not the only notable aspect of this rapprochement. The communiqué also celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship signed between Rabat and Lisbon. This treaty, concluded in 1774 after centuries of maritime tensions and conflicts between the two empires during the Middle Ages, marked a historic turning point. It laid the foundation for cooperation based on respect for sovereignty and mutual interests, which later evolved into a strong partnership encompassing security, economy, culture, and coordination in international forums.

This reminder of a shared past reinforces the symbolic importance of the present, particularly in light of the convergence of views between the two countries on many regional and international issues—chief among them, support for a political solution to the artificial conflict over the Sahara, in line with UN references and the spirit of the Moroccan initiative, which enjoys broad global support.

Today, the Moroccan-Portuguese rapprochement goes beyond the framework of bilateral relations. It stands as a successful model of sustainable strategic partnership, built on mutual trust and a shared vision of a stable and cooperative future on both shores of the Mediterranean.