Spain Praises ’Real and Effective’ Immigration Cooperation with Morocco Despite Melilla Border Incident

"We have real and effective cooperation with Morocco, but that does not prevent events like today’s [Thursday] from happening," Marlaska said, stating that Morocco and Spain regularly consult each other to make appropriate decisions to improve and strengthen border protection in Melilla.

To read: Migrants Breach Melilla Border Fence, Injuring Police and Sparking Quarantine Measures

Morocco is a "strategic partner" with whom Spain maintains "very close" relations and continues to work "significantly," the Spanish Interior Minister added during a press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksander Vulin. Marlaska did not fail to praise the professionalism of the Civil Guard agents stationed at the border and express his solidarity with the three agents injured on Thursday as they tried to prevent migrants from entering the city.

To read: Over 200 Migrants Scale Fence to Enter Spanish Enclave of Melilla from Morocco

In total, 238 sub-Saharan migrants entered Melilla on Thursday, according to information from the government delegation. They arrived in the early morning in the "barrio chino" area and climbed the six-meter high border fence using hooks. 18 migrants were injured during the operation.

In addition, Minister Marlaska indicated on the occasion that the migrants who continue to live in the centers in Ceuta "are cared for with respect for the dignity of the persons and respect for human rights."