Spain Drops Moscow Ambassador Pick to Avoid Tensions with Morocco

Spain continues to suffer the consequences of the serious diplomatic crisis with Morocco, which occurred after the reception on its territory of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front. After thanking Arancha González Laya, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, for "calming" Morocco, Spain has finally resumed dialogue with the kingdom and the two countries are preparing to resume their cooperation on new bases. The new minister, José Manuel Albares, who has worked discreetly for this resumption of relations, does not wish to "irritate" Morocco again, believes El Confidencial. This is why he has withdrawn the proposal to appoint Camilo Villarino as ambassador to Moscow, adds the same source.

To read: Morocco and Spain Mend Diplomatic Ties After Crisis

Former chief of staff of Laya, Villarino is the one who would have ordered the air force not to submit Brahim Ghali and his entourage to customs formalities. His appointment to this post had been proposed by the former minister Laya.

"Whenever there are tensions between two member states, whether it is Spain and Morocco or any other, we will always encourage an open dialogue between the two to resolve these issues or any other outstanding issues that may have created this crisis," Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said in June, while also stating that the UN maintains its position on the Sahara. "Our position on the Sahara is the one described in the relevant Security Council resolutions," he said.