Melilla-Algeria Maritime Link Gains Momentum as Officials Push for Approval

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid "would look favorably" on the realization of a direct maritime link between Melilla and Algeria, said Eduardo de Castro, the president of the regional government of Melilla, on Saturday, January 16, according to El Faro de Melilla. A deputy from the Popular Party, whose party approves the project, had asked Eduardo de Castro to put pressure on the central government in Madrid, believing that the conclusions of the Executive are slow to emerge.

In response to these remarks, the president of the regional government indicated that the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed to him that it is "carefully analyzing the proposal for the maritime link" with Algeria. In addition, other Spanish ministerial departments, including the Ministry of the Interior, which must also analyze issues related to customs, the entry of people and the creation of infrastructure for the control of travelers and others, must also study the proposal, he specified.

"It is an important proposal which, because of the impact it would have on the economy of Melilla, interests the Spanish government, as the minister has assured me, and she has committed to keeping me informed of the progress of the file," added Eduardo de Castro, stressing that the project must also be examined with Algeria and Morocco. Moreover, the realization of this maritime link would have a positive effect on the commercial and tourist plans, estimated de Castro, emphasizing the pressure of the local employers who have set up this project since the beginning, even if the concretization of the idea was complicated due to this pandemic period.