Spain Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Ceuta and Melilla Amid Moroccan Map Controversy

Reacting to this controversial publication, the Spanish Executive has reiterated its uncontested sovereignty over the two autonomous cities, reports Ceuta TV. Ceuta and Melilla are an integral part of Spain and their Spanish identity is beyond doubt, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated, without specifying whether the Spanish government would file a formal complaint with Morocco.

A response to Morocco is necessary, believes the president of Melilla, Juan José Imbroda. The government of Ceuta, for its part, demands "respect" for Spain’s territorial integrity, adding that this respect is a "necessary condition for the maintenance of good neighborly relations" and cooperation between the two countries.

To recall, Spain and Morocco embarked in March 2022 on a new stage in their relations, based on mutual respect and transparency. As part of this new roadmap, the two countries have undertaken to avoid actions that could offend the other party, particularly on issues affecting their respective sovereignties.

The Spanish government had sent a verbal note to the Moroccan embassy in Madrid in July to express its displeasure at the statement by the Moroccan government which, in a letter to the European Union, described Ceuta and Melilla as "Moroccan cities".