Ceuta and Melilla: Spain toughens its stance and warns Morocco

The Moroccan Minister of Justice defended on 2M Morocco’s “historical and geographical right” to Ceuta and Melilla and called for a “definitive solution” allowing their “return to the homeland.”

This new exchange extends a war of words that had already begun a few days earlier. Ouahbi had then assured that Rabat systematically raised the issue of Ceuta and Melilla with Madrid, which Spain had formally denied.

The minister is now proposing to go further with the creation of a dialogue commission devoted to the future of the two cities. In his view, this issue must remain present in bilateral relations and cannot be swept under the rug.

According to EFE, Madrid has this time chosen to respond directly to Rabat. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it conveyed its position “clearly” to Morocco on Friday through diplomatic channels.

On Bladi.net : Ceuta and Melilla are in Morocco": the shocking statement of an American official

The Spanish government reiterates that Ceuta and Melilla are part of Spain’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also of the territory of the European Union. Yet the issue is regularly reignited, including in the representation of borders: Google Maps, in particular, continues to separate the two cities from Morocco with dotted lines used for disputed territorial boundaries.

Madrid closes the door to any discussion on sovereignty

“We categorically reject and will categorically reject any different approach concerning Ceuta and Melilla,” the Spanish ministry states. For now, this wording closes the door on the dialogue commission desired by Ouahbi regarding their future status.

The main new development lies in the direct nature of the démarche. Madrid had already publicly rejected the Moroccan claims. This time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is keen to make clear that this refusal was officially communicated to Morocco through diplomatic channels.

The contrast is all the more striking because the idea of negotiations is no longer being promoted solely in Morocco. American lawmakers have also called in recent months on Washington to encourage a dialogue between Rabat and Madrid on the future status of Ceuta and Melilla.

On Bladi.net : Ceuta and Melilla: Moroccan in ten years!

Ouahbi does not present the Moroccan claim as an issue that should be settled through confrontation. On the contrary, he advocates dialogue with Spain, but sets it a very clear objective: the return of Ceuta and Melilla to Morocco. Madrid has just responded, equally clearly, that the sovereignty of the two cities was not open to discussion.