Editing Foreign relations of Morocco (section)

==Factors influencing foreign relations==
===Role of political organization===
Policies associated with foreign relations are determined by [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|King Mohamed VI]], as well as his advisors, despite the fact that Morocco has a [[constitutional monarchy]].<ref name="nationsencyclopedia.com"/> Morocco has had a history of monarchical rule. For example, the previous king, [[Hassan II of Morocco]], suspended parliament in 1965 and ruled directly for two years. This was in response to the discovery of a plot on the king's life, of which a political party, [[National Union of Popular Forces|UNFP]], was accused of orchestrating. Foreign relations with Western countries became strained as a result of this. Portraying Morocco as a democratic state became important if Morocco wished to receive loans and investments from foreign powers.

===Role of colonialism===
Morocco's current relations with some countries are related to its colonial history. Morocco was secretly partitioned by Spain and France and in 1912 the Moroccan territory was made into French and Spanish [[protectorate]]s. After achieving independence in 1956, Morocco still has a strong relationship with its former colonizers. Spain and France are currently the largest exporting and importing partners to Morocco. French is still popularly spoken and remains the second language in Morocco whilst Spanish is also widespread, particularly in the northern regions. France now is home to more than a million Moroccans legally residing in the country. This is the largest Moroccan population in a foreign country, followed next by Spain. These former colonizers remain influential in economic matters, such as development projects, investments, trade, and loans.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/ CIA – The World Factbook] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202191738/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/ |date=2022-12-02 }}. Cia.gov. Retrieved on 2011-01-10.</ref>

===Role of free market===
Relations with foreign powers, especially with the [[Western world|West]], have also been strengthened as Morocco has liberalized its economy and implemented major economic reforms. In 1993 there was major [[privatization]] and markets were opened up to foreign powers.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o4Juuaw49UC&q=morocco+history+since+1830 |title=Morocco Since 1830: A History |access-date=2009-10-23 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Morocco now is focusing more on promoting [[foreign direct investments]]. In 2007, Morocco adopted the Hassan II Fund for Development, which are measures that simplify procedures to make the process easier and more financially beneficial for foreign investors. This was done with financial incentives, as well as tax exemptions. These policies make it beneficial for other countries to have relations with Morocco so that they can take advantage of their goods. Morocco's exports are mainly agriculture, and it is one of the largest exporters of phosphate in the world. In addition, Morocco has rich fishing waters, a tourist industry, and a small manufacturing sector.

===Role of foreign policy support===
Morocco also gains financial support from countries that it assists. For example, Morocco has had a long history of supporting the United States and it has received financial support as a result. Moroccan troops were involved in Bosnia as well as in Somalia, during the operation [[Desert Storm]]. Morocco also was among the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the [[September 11 attacks]] and declare solidarity with the American people in the [[War on Terror|war against terror]].<ref name="somalipress.com">[http://www.somalipress.com/morocco-overview/foreign-relations-morocco-1097.html Foreign Relations of Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204224216/http://www.somalipress.com/morocco-overview/foreign-relations-morocco-1097.html |date=2009-02-04 }}. Somali Press. Retrieved on 2011-01-10.</ref> It has contributed to UN peacekeeping efforts on the continent. In 1998, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, [[William Cohen]], said that Morocco and the U.S. have "mutual concerns over transnational terrorism" as well as interests in "the effort to control the spread of [[weapons of mass destruction]]".<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=41811 Defense.gov News Article: Cohen Renews U.S.-Morocco Ties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130123927/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=41811 |date=2009-11-30 }}. Defenselink.mil. Retrieved on 2011-01-10.</ref> In recognition of its support for the War on Terror, in June 2004 U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] designated Morocco as a major non-NATO ally. 
Another case of mutual foreign policy interests is with Saudi Arabia. Ties between these countries were strengthened when Morocco sent troops to help Saudi Arabia during the 1992 Gulf War. This was perceived as a "gesture to support Western and Arab allies". Morocco's relationship to countries in the Middle East and its contribution to the Palestinian cause have created stronger relations between these countries.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=o4Ju-uaw49UC&q=morocco+history+since+1830 Morocco since 1830: a history – Google Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908004555/https://books.google.com/books?id=o4Ju-uaw49UC&q=morocco+history+since+1830 |date=2023-09-08 }}. Books.google.ca. Retrieved on 2011-01-10.</ref>

===Role of immigration===
Another factor determining relations is how much immigration the country receives from Morocco. The beginning of major migration to Europe began during the [[French protectorate in Morocco|colonial era]] (1912 to 1956). During World War I and II, France had an urgent need for manpower, which led to the recruitment of tens of thousands of Moroccan men to work in factories, mines, and in the army.<ref name="migrationinformation.org">[http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=339 Migration Information Source – Morocco: From Emigration Country to Africa's Migration Passage to Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210100911/http://migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=339 |date=2014-02-10 }}. Migrationinformation.org. Retrieved on 2011-01-10.</ref> Another increase in immigration from Morocco to France was during the Algerian war of independence. France stopped recruiting workers from Algeria and instead accepted more Moroccan factory and mine labourers. Immigration increased even further from 1962 to 1972 when economic growth in Europe occurred, which led to a greater demand for low-skilled labour. At this time, Morocco signed major labour recruitment agreements with European countries, such as France, West Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This led to a more diverse spread of emigration, which until this time was focused primarily on the country of France.

Morocco's perceived identity plays a role in its relations with other countries. Numerous countries have strong relations with Morocco because of its history of being a Western ally. For example, Morocco has the longest friendship treaties with the United States. This is important for US interests because Morocco is a stable, democratizing, and liberalizing MENA & Muslim nation. Geopolitical benefits are evident because ties to Morocco means that an ally is established in Africa, in the Maghreb region. Morocco's identity as a Muslim state has also strengthened ties with the Persian Gulf countries as a result of 9/11 and the "War on Terror". This has resulted in Arab countries, including members of the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|GCC]] (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates), choosing to invest more in Morocco.<ref>[http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?article=190 GCC Countries Invest Heavily in Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190426/http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?article=190 |date=2018-08-07 }}. The Memri Economic Blog. Retrieved on 2011-01-10.</ref> Many countries in the Maghreb region also invest in Morocco because of perceived similarities in identity.