Melilla Business Group Seeks to Limit Moroccan Citizenship in Spanish Enclave

In initiating this request, the Melilla businessmen want to lead Morocco to renounce "its annexationist ambitions on Ceuta and Melilla" and "prevent the growth of the Moroccan population in the city", according to Ok Diario. The CEME-CEOE intends to add this request to its list of proposals for the strategic plan of Melilla, which will be presented this Wednesday by the city government to political parties and civil society organizations to gather their opinions. The Melilla employers’ association has also demanded that the State "locate and expel from the city the foreigners who reside there illegally".

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"The European Union and Spain consider Morocco as a friendly country for many reasons and maintain good economic relations with the kingdom. We are all interested in the economic development of Morocco, because it is better to have a socially, economically and politically stable neighbor than a powder keg that can explode like other countries of Islamic influence," added the CEME-CEOE, inviting Morocco, which has already benefited from billions of euros in aid, to "respect human rights and the agreements signed".

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The Melilla employers’ association has also urged Morocco to "create a space of shared prosperity" and "renounce its annexationist ambitions on the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla". "In view of the recent events that occurred in Ceuta in May 2021 with the irregular entry of more than 10,000 Moroccans, Europe has become aware that we must demand that Morocco respect its commitments," insisted the Melilla businessmen, also calling "on all political forces to work together for our city".