NATO Rejects Vox’s Proposal to Protect Ceuta and Melilla Amid Migration Concerns

Last June, Vox had tabled this bill, a few days after the massive influx of Moroccan migrants into the city of Ceuta, causing an unprecedented migration crisis, claiming a "possible attack by Morocco".

In session on Wednesday, Congress rejected the bill. For Podemos deputies, Vox’s desire would have serious consequences. "Including Ceuta and Melilla would mean that Russian ships could not dock for technical stopovers in the two cities," warned the far-left party.

And the Popular Party (PP) added that the "apocalyptic perspective" on Ceuta and Melilla of the VOX party cannot prosper. "The Spanish sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla is not challenged by any international actor, with the exception of Morocco," it recalled.

It should be remembered that on the subject, El Othmani had declared last year that the sovereignty of "Ceuta and Melilla is a question that must be opened [...] it has been pending for five or six centuries, but one day it could be opened". Statements defended by Ambassador Karima Benyaich who will argue that "Morocco does not recognize the Spanish sovereignty over the two cities and considers them occupied". A reaction that had provoked strong diplomatic tensions.