Spain to Reopen Moroccan Borders and Resume Ferry Services for Expats

The Spanish Foreign Minister will exchange with the Moroccan authorities with a view to "the complete normalization of maritime links" and the resumption of the Marhaba Operation on the one hand, and the "controlled reopening" of the borders in Ceuta and Melilla in order to restore the movement of people and goods between the two countries on the other. During a visit on Wednesday to the city of Melilla, President Pedro Sanchez also assured that these borders will be reopened "very soon", according to EPE.

To read: Spain Anticipates Reopening of Moroccan Borders with Ceuta and Melilla Enclaves

Albares’ visit will serve to prepare Pedro Sanchez’s official trip to Morocco in the coming days. The minister explained on Tuesday to Congress that Morocco will strengthen its bilateral relationship with Spain, but that it will be up to the UN Special Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to "propose a mutually acceptable solution".

To read: Spain Backs Morocco’s Sahara Plan, Boosting Joint Efforts on Migration Control

Albares insisted on the advantages for Spain of having changed its position on the Sahara, stressing that this decision, in addition to sounding the end of the "unsustainable" crisis with Morocco, will allow strengthening police cooperation between the two countries "in the areas of drug trafficking, human trafficking, counter-terrorism and organized crime".

"The government has sought a non-cyclical or rapid crisis exit" to achieve a "more structured" relationship with Morocco, which guarantees "the stability and territorial integrity" of the two countries, he added.