Spain-Morocco Border Reopening Delayed as Negotiations Continue

2 May 2022 – byPrince@Bladi · 1 min read

President Pedro Sanchez welcomed the resumption of the relationship with Morocco, which follows the change in position on the Sahara. This "historic" turnaround should lead to the rapid reopening of the border crossings of Ceuta and Melilla, which is nevertheless slow to materialize.

The reopening of the land borders of Ceuta and Melilla with Morocco is still not effective. The Spanish government has just extended the border closure measure by 15 days, pending the negotiation of the reopening of the commercial customs of Melilla, unilaterally closed by Morocco in 2018, and the creation of a new one in Ceuta.

To read: Morocco-Spain Border Talks Continue as Ceuta and Melilla Await Reopening

The various difficulties blocking the rapid reopening of the borders confirm the weakness of the agreement with Morocco, the details of which are secretly guarded by the Spanish government, reports El Mundo, estimating that for the moment, Spain has not yet gained anything from this new partnership with Morocco.

The oil exploration in Tarfaya, near the Canary Islands, further complicates the normalization of relations between the two countries. Even if the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has assured that he is closely following this file and will ensure the defense of the interests of the Canary Islands.

Category: Spain

Keywords:

Spain Ceuta Melilla