Morocco’s Economic Strategy Threatens Spanish Enclaves Ceuta and Melilla

In an interview with EFE, De Castro states that Morocco’s roadmap is to "drown us to grow". "It’s good that they want to grow, but not at our expense," he declares, recalling the construction of a "super port" near Tangier and the strengthening of the one in Nador, near Melilla, whose capacity has been multiplied by twenty in a few years, not to mention the massive investments in infrastructure with financing from China, Germany, England or France.

"Not only has Morocco banned goods from Melilla on its market, but it also refuses exports of goods from Europe by companies in Melilla. They are closing everywhere," criticizes the president of the autonomous city who points out that Morocco had closed its borders with Melilla, well before the state of emergency came into force in Spain, which had a "devastating" effect on the local economy essentially based on trade.

Faced with this blockade by Morocco, De Castro proposes to develop, in agreement with Ceuta, strategies to "not depend" on the kingdom. "The arrangement of Ceuta and Melilla inevitably passes through the European institutions, and not just Spain. I have long supported the fact that the solution goes through Brussels," says De Castro, who explains that the autonomous city was founded 523 years ago, even before Spain and Morocco.

Melilla "has never been a colony or a neo-colony... It’s another thing that there are historical, commercial, neighborly and family ties, which must continue to exist and be strengthened. We are neighbors, we will help each other, but in reciprocity," he affirms. Morocco "feels strong and allows itself to threaten Spain and Germany," develops De Castro, who regrets that the kingdom allowed the entry of minor migrants into Ceuta in May, in reaction to the reception of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, in a hospital in Logroño.

The President of Melilla also thanks the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, who has assured that the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, like any other Spanish territory, will be defended as necessary.