Spain Considers Visa Restrictions as Tensions Rise with Morocco over Ceuta and Melilla

The meeting resulted, according to the Spanish media, in the incitement of the central government in Madrid to adopt drastic and urgent measures against Morocco.

Two instructions stand out among the series of provisions proposed by the two officials. These include the application of the Schengen visa to the inhabitants of Tetouan, Nador, who were used to carrying out their activities in these cities without customs constraints.

The other measure is to return to Morocco all the minors taken care of in the reception centers of the two Spanish cities, in accordance with international conventions.

These decisions come in the wake of the new policy adopted by the Moroccan government towards the two Spanish enclaves, namely the suspension of smuggling activities, the strengthening of border controls, and the ban on exporting Moroccan fish and agricultural products, thus creating an economic crisis and a rise in prices in Ceuta and Melilla.