EU Reaffirms Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish Territory, Countering Moroccan Claims

Ceuta and Melilla are "Spanish territories that belong to the European Union," the European Parliament reacted in response to Morocco, which described the two cities as "Moroccan" in a recent letter to the EU delegation in Rabat, in which it denounced the "hostile" statements of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, concerning these two cities.

The questioning of the Spanish character of Ceuta and Melilla by Morocco has provoked the reaction of Ciudadanos MEPs Maite Pagazaurtundúa and Jordi Cañas, who condemned these unacceptable statements by Morocco on the two presidios and asked if Brussels was considering reviewing its agreements with Morocco. While reaffirming Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, Josep Borell supported that the "deep and fruitful partnership between the European Union and Morocco" will not be affected.

Morocco and Spain have normalized their relations after Spain’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara. President Pedro Sanchez spent part of his summer vacation in Morocco, proof that the two countries have excellent relations. Despite this resumption of relations, Morocco has continued to claim the two autonomous cities. "Ceuta and Melilla are Spain, period," Sanchez had declared in Congress.