On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares warned that he would not tolerate “any doubt, any comment” regarding Spain’s territorial integrity, referring to claims made by two Moroccan ministers concerning Ceuta and Melilla, which he described as degrading to bilateral relations.
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Regarding the mass influx of migrants, he noted that it is impossible to determine who was behind it, although the opposition links it to Morocco. He recalled that his Moroccan counterpart denied any direct involvement in the incident.
Albares announced that he will travel to Brussels to advocate for a stronger “anchoring” of both cities within the European Union and to propose measures to prevent further mass influxes of migrants like the one that occurred on July 30 and 31.
During those days, more than 70,000 people swam across from Morocco to Ceuta; although most returned within a few hours, thousands remain in the city, generating social and political tensions in the border region.
The Spanish minister stated that he will discuss with European commissioners how to strengthen border security and explore the possibility of integrating Ceuta and Melilla into the customs union, while also bolstering their economic activity.
Albares emphasized that the unique geographical location of the two cities makes their border “the most complex to manage on the planet,” and that Brussels must consider this in its support policies.
The Spanish National Court is conducting a criminal investigation after observing possible preferential treatment of Morocco in the migration crisis, while the government seeks certainty before making decisions.
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
Source: teleSUR
