For years, King Felipe VI has expressed a desire to visit Ceuta, yet Spanish governments have historically hesitated to arrange such a royal visit due to concerns over potential Moroccan retaliation. However, this long-anticipated trip is finally set to take place on the 13th of October, with the King and Queen Letizia scheduled to travel to Ceuta, followed by a visit to Melilla the next day.
According to reports from La Vanguardia, the Moncloa (the official residence of the Prime Minister) feared a possible diplomatic, economic, or migratory reaction from Rabat. This apprehension has long overshadowed the King’s proposed visit, as official trips by the sovereign require government approval. Even after a significant influx of migrants to Ceuta at the end of July, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez deemed an immediate visit inappropriate, opting instead for a more cautious approach to avoid escalating tensions with Morocco. The article highlights the challenging discussions between the government's presidency and the Zarzuela Palace regarding the timing of this visit.
On October 1, both institutions finally announced the trip, using identical wording to emphasize their mutual agreement. This will mark King Felipe VI's first official visit to both cities since he ascended to the throne in 2014. However, plans for this visit were already in motion before the summer crisis, as noted by EFE, indicating that Madrid aims to showcase state support for these two cities amidst ongoing territorial disputes.
The Shadow of the 2007 Diplomatic Crisis
The last visit by a Spanish monarch to Ceuta and Melilla occurred in November 2007, when King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía's presence sparked a diplomatic crisis with Morocco. Prior to their arrival, Morocco had recalled its ambassador to Spain, Omar Azziman, for consultations, and King Mohammed VI subsequently condemned the visit. Nearly nineteen years later, the territorial disagreement persists: Spain views these two cities as integral parts of its territory, while Morocco continues to contest this sovereignty.
In September, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares explicitly stated that no permission would be sought from Rabat for the upcoming visit. He differentiated between a diplomatic courtesy notification and a consultation regarding the trip’s execution. Notably, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will not accompany the royal couple; instead, the Spanish government will be represented by Ángel Víctor Torres, the Minister of Territorial Policy, who is tasked with overseeing the ongoing crisis in Ceuta. The visit is scheduled to commence on October 13, immediately following Spain's national holiday, with the Melilla leg of the trip set for the 14th.
As reported by bladi.net.
