Canary Islands Government's Stance on Moroccan Relations
The government of the Canary Islands, under a right-wing coalition since June 2023, has reiterated its long-standing commitment to fostering excellent neighborly relations with Morocco. This declaration was made by a spokesperson for the archipelago's executive, highlighting the government's intention to collaborate closely with Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania in the fight against irregular immigration.
This conciliatory tone towards Rabat comes in stark contrast to comments made just the week prior by the Canary Islands' vice-president, Manuel Domínguez. In an interview with a right-leaning media outlet, Domínguez asserted that "Morocco will know no respite until it achieves its objectives: first the Sahara, now Ceuta and Melilla." He emphasized the need to reassess relations with Morocco to ensure they are founded on mutual respect and called for a tougher stance against the North African nation.
Domínguez's perspective was echoed on Monday by Antonio Morales, the president of the Gran Canaria Council, who urged Madrid and Brussels not to be "naïve," asserting that "Morocco is not a reliable partner." This rhetoric suggests a significant division within the Canary Islands' leadership regarding the approach to Morocco, as some officials advocate for a more stringent diplomatic stance.
It's important to recall that Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands, had previously expressed his commitment to strategic relations with Morocco in March 2025, a position he reiterated during the unveiling of the regional executive's Africa plan.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
