RABAT: Morocco has suspended contacts with the German embassy, the foreign minister announced in a letter published late Monday, in what officials said was a protest over Berlin鈥檚 stance on the Western Sahara dispute.
In the letter addressed to the prime minister and published by Moroccan media, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the decision to suspend dealings with the embassy as well as German cultural organizations was taken in response to 鈥渄eep misunderstandings鈥� on 鈥渋ssues fundamental for Morocco.鈥�
鈥淢orocco wishes to preserve its relationship with Germany but this is a form of warning expressing unease over many issues,鈥� a senior foreign ministry official told AFP late Monday.
鈥淭here will be no contact until we have received answers to the various questions we have posed.鈥�
Morocco was angered by German criticism of former US president Donald Trump鈥檚 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in return for moves by Rabat to normalize its relations with Israel, the official said.
It was also dismayed that it was kept out of discussions on Libya鈥檚 political future at a congress in Berlin in January 2000.
Morocco insists its claim to sovereignty over the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara is non-negotiable, despite the rival claims of the pro-independence Polisario Front, with which it fought a 1975-91 war.
Morocco has had generally good relations with Germany, which is a major donor.
Three months ago the foreign minister hailed the 鈥渆xcellence of bilateral cooperation鈥� after Berlin released 1.387 billion euros in support for Moroccan financial reforms and coronavirus countermeasures.