In a recent statement, Spain's Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, commended Morocco's crucial cooperation in addressing the Ceuta crisis, deeming it "essential". Despite this praise, he reaffirmed Madrid's official stance against any Moroccan claims over the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. During his address before the Foreign Affairs Committee of Spain’s Congress of Deputies, Albares highlighted how his ministry engaged with Moroccan officials through diplomatic channels from the onset of the crisis, emphasizing the necessity for continuous dialogue throughout the unfolding events.
Albares articulated that this ongoing communication was pivotal in facilitating the return of nearly 90 percent of the 80,000 migrants who surged into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. He noted the importance of this collaborative effort in managing the remaining individuals in the city and preventing similar occurrences from transpiring, referring to a comparable situation that arose on August 15. Furthermore, he urged Moroccan authorities to bolster their resources to curb further migration attempts and to enhance border security measures aimed at deterring illegal crossings.
In his remarks, Albares categorically dismissed any connections between the migration crisis and broader geopolitical issues, such as Spanish-Algerian relations or legislative efforts regarding Spanish nationality for Sahrawis. He asserted that Spain retains the sovereign right to pursue its own policies, maintain its diplomatic engagements, and enact laws deemed appropriate by its parliament.
Recognition of Morocco’s Long-Term Migration Containment Efforts
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska echoed Albares' sentiments in a separate inquiry session, where he acknowledged Morocco's longstanding efforts to manage irregular migration flows, particularly during the crises of last July. He provided statistics that underscored Morocco's proactive measures, revealing that prior to the crisis on July 30, Moroccan authorities had thwarted over 1,000 attempts to swim into Ceuta and had conducted nearly 3,000 interception operations. Marlaska emphasized that the scale of interceptions by Morocco far exceeded these numbers, contending that the extraordinary influx of individuals could not simply be attributed to these prior figures.
Elaborating on the factors contributing to the crisis, Albares pointed to social media as a catalyst that incited the mass entry, alleging that misinformation had distorted the reality of a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the immediate return of migrants who reached Ceuta by swimming. He criticized the rapid dissemination of falsehoods through digital platforms which fueled polarization and confusion regarding the situation at the border.
A viral video posted on July 28, showcasing two young women swimming to Ceuta, garnered over 30 million views in Morocco, significantly contributing to the misconceptions that the border had been opened. This surge in digital activity coincided with the mass entry of migrants on July 30, further complicating the situation.
Firm Stance on Ceuta and Melilla Sovereignty
In conjunction with his commendation of Morocco's collaboration on security and migration issues, Albares firmly reiterated that this partnership does not equate to any negotiations concerning the status of Ceuta and Melilla. He stated unequivocally that there have been, are, and will not be any discussions regarding these territories, emphasizing Spain’s unwavering commitment to its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He confirmed that his ministry has formally and publicly conveyed its rejection of any statements that challenge this integrity through all available diplomatic channels.
In response to inquiries about whether Spain's Foreign Ministry had summoned Morocco's ambassador to Madrid, Karima Benyaich, Albares suggested that such actions were indeed taken, though typically not disclosed publicly. He concluded by reiterating the clarity of Spain’s position on territorial integrity, asserting that there was no need for further elaboration.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
