The dispute is escalating: Spain has responded to Morocco’s claims
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated that the issue of sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla is not up for discussion. This was Madrid’s response to Morocco’s latest territorial claims regarding the two Spanish enclaves.
Robles emphasized that any threat to Ceuta or Melilla would be considered a threat to Spain. The country’s Foreign Ministry also stated that the territorial integrity of the state “has not been and will never be up for discussion.”
Recently, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdelatif Ouabi stated in a televised address that his country has always raised the issue of the status of Ceuta and Melilla during negotiations with Spain, with the long-term goal to reach a solution through dialogue.
This was the first time Rabat had publicly raised this contentious issue since the border crisis in Ceuta in late July, during which an estimated 72,000 migrants briefly crossed the border and entered the Spanish enclave.
Since gaining independence in 1956, Morocco has considered these cities to be occupied by Spain, asserting that sovereignty over them must ultimately be transferred to Rabat.
“Ceuta and Melilla are not just Spanish; they are quintessentially Spanish, and they must not be touched. Any attack on Ceuta and Melilla is an attack on Spain as a whole. This must never happen again,” Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles told reporters in Ceuta, responding to a question about Ouabi’s comments.
In a separate statement, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Spain’s territorial integrity “has not been and will never be negotiated with anyone.”
Robles’ remarks were quoted by El País.
Spain has called on its partners not to criticize Morocco over the migration crisis — Euractiv.
As a reminder, Ceuta is preparing accommodations for at least 862 migrant minors.
Antoni Vives called the crisis in Ceuta a geopolitical signal from Morocco to Spain.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the actions of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during the influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
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