Portugal Aligns with Morocco’s Royal Vision in Landmark Diplomatic Shift on Sahara and Energy

From 18th-century treaties to 21st-century innovations, the Morocco-Portugal partnership exemplifies how historic alliances can evolve into engines of regional stability, economic ambition, and shared global leadership.

LISBON, July 24, 2025 — In a world increasingly fractured by geopolitical rivalries and unstable alliances, few diplomatic relationships shine as brightly—or as pragmatically—as the one between Morocco and Portugal. During an official visit to Lisbon, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita met with his Portuguese counterpart to advance a bilateral agenda that is as grounded in centuries-old peace as it is focused on future energy, infrastructure, and regional security.

“Morocco is a provider of stability and a relay for development in Africa,” said João Gomes Cravinho, Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, hailing the reforms led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI as “transformational for the African continent and beyond.”

This year holds deep symbolic value for both countries. It marks the 250th anniversary of the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1774—one of Morocco’s oldest diplomatic accords with a European nation—and the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and Cooperation. Yet the tone of this latest meeting was distinctly forward-facing, centered around shared ambitions rather than nostalgic remembrance.

🌍 A Partnership Rooted in History, Energized by Innovation

One of the most visible symbols of this strategic relationship is the joint hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, alongside Spain. It’s not merely a sports project—it’s a diplomatic gesture and logistical endeavor that requires long-term planning, cross-border cooperation, and a shared vision for regional soft power.

“This World Cup will be a celebration of unity between Europe and Africa,” said Bourita, framing the event as an opportunity to project a new Mediterranean partnership that is modern, inclusive, and technologically advanced.

The bilateral agenda also featured green energy collaboration, especially green hydrogen projects, in which Portugal sees Morocco as both a source and a partner. With abundant solar capacity and geographic proximity to Europe, Morocco is emerging as a key player in Europe’s energy transition—a role Portugal strongly supports.

🌊 Atlantic Strategy and Geoeconomic Synergy

Morocco’s Royal Atlantic Initiatives—championed by King Mohammed VI—have drawn increasing attention from Portugal, itself a seafaring nation with strong Atlantic roots. The initiatives include:

• The Atlantic African States Process, aimed at deepening South-South cooperation.
• The Royal Initiative to Facilitate Sahel Countries’ Access to the Atlantic Ocean, offering economic lifelines to landlocked African nations.
• The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, a transcontinental infrastructure vision that will connect West Africa to Europe.

Portugal views these initiatives as an alignment of economic interest and geostrategic necessity. Lisbon is expected to lend technical and political support to these programs in EU forums.

🕊 A Clear Stance on the Moroccan Sahara

Portugal also reaffirmed its position on the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Sahara, describing it as “the most serious, credible, and constructive basis” for resolving the regional dispute. This endorsement, consistent with a growing trend among European and African countries, bolsters Morocco’s diplomatic standing within the United Nations-led process.

“Portugal’s support is not just symbolic—it reflects a deeper strategic consensus that favors regional stability and realistic solutions,” said political analyst Fatima El Jarmouni, based in Rabat.

🏛 Diplomacy That Delivers Tangible Results

Morocco’s diplomacy under King Mohammed VI has often been described as “pragmatic multilateralism”—balancing tradition with innovation, sovereignty with integration. The Lisbon visit is a case study in that approach: symbolic anniversaries used not as bookends, but as launchpads for cooperation in energy, sports, connectivity, and regional peace.

The human impact is clear. Thousands of Moroccan students and workers in Portugal stand to benefit from expanded academic exchange programs, new visa facilitation measures, and smoother professional integration. Meanwhile, Portuguese companies are eyeing Morocco as a stable, growing market and a gateway to Africa.