Morocco's Justice Minister Stresses Historical Rights Over Ceuta and Melilla
Abdellatif Ouahbi, the Justice Minister of Morocco, reiterated the country's claim over the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla on Friday, emphasizing the "historical and geographical rights" that Morocco holds over these territories. In an interview with the public television network 2M, Ouahbi expressed the necessity of establishing a "dialogue space" with Spanish authorities to discuss the ongoing status of Ceuta and Melilla, advocating for a definitive solution to the matter. He firmly stated, "We will defend our historical and geographical rights and seek avenues for dialogue on this issue," highlighting the importance of addressing this topic for both the present and the future.
In response to Ouahbi's comments, the Spanish government swiftly rejected Morocco's claims regarding Ceuta and Melilla. Spanish officials reaffirmed that these two cities are unequivocally Spanish and integral to the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed a strong message to Morocco, asserting, "We reject and will firmly reject any assertion regarding Ceuta and Melilla that suggests otherwise." Furthermore, the ministry reminded the Moroccan government that Ceuta and Melilla represent Spain's border with Morocco as well as the European Union (EU), with their sovereignty recognized internationally as part of EU territory.
This exchange comes on the heels of a recent migration crisis, during which approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco. The majority of these individuals have been returned, and the Spanish government is currently focused on assisting unaccompanied minors who reached the autonomous city. In this context, Ouahbi has urged the Spanish government to hand over all Moroccan minors currently in the autonomous city.
As reported by elcorreo.com.
