Melilla Leader Urges Spain to Normalize Border Traffic with Morocco

"It is imperative, and it is my wish, that the border with our neighbors returns to normal, in an orderly manner, for the movement of people and goods, and that we thus regain the good relations that should always exist between neighboring countries, like Spain and Morocco," he said in a recent speech reported by the Spanish press. For the president of the Melilla enclave, this full return to normal at the border crossing level would be beneficial "both for people, by avoiding long waits, and for the movement of goods".

Recalling that the reopening of the border at the Beni Enzar crossing point on May 17 last brought happiness to those who were able to return to reunite with their family two years and two months later, Eduardo de Castro insisted on the importance of the return to normal that he calls for with all his might, but also on the fact that "a certain firmness gives better results than lukewarmness". He asks that the border be protected in a "not only adequate, but also proportionate" manner, in order to avoid the event of June 24.

On that day, nearly 2,000 migrants of African origin tried to enter Spanish territory by storming the Spanish enclave of Melilla, north of Morocco. Twenty-three of them died while clashes had broken out with border guards. De Castro deplores a "human tragedy" "which should never have happened".

"Because of our status as the southern border of Europe, Spanish and European diplomacy must continue to promote common negotiation channels," added the official.