Spanish King’s Potential Visit to Ceuta Raises Diplomatic Tensions with Morocco

This meeting, which is part of the preparations for the 40th anniversary of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Ceuta (CECE), was an opportunity for its president, Arantxa Campos, to share with the king the main challenges they are facing and to renew the private sector’s commitment to the economic and social development of the autonomous city. For his part, Felipe VI stressed the need to preserve the identity of Ceuta, its economic fabric and its role in national unity and cohesion, reports Ceuta TV.

In terms of the difficulties encountered, the Ceuta entrepreneurs mentioned the administrative slowness at the local, national and European levels, the lack of support from the State and the non-recognition of the city as an economic entity within the European Union. They also highlighted the investment opportunities in the city, recalling that Sebta benefits from privileged access to one of the most important trade routes in the world and that it offers a special economic and tax regime to investors. The CECE also asked the king to strengthen the private sector and work for the recognition of Ceuta as an entity of the European Union.

Following this meeting, King Felipe VI could soon visit Sebta to experience the realities of the entrepreneurs firsthand. A visit that would confirm Spain’s sovereignty over this territory claimed by Morocco. The kingdom will certainly not look favorably on this possible trip by the King of Spain to Sebta, while it has constantly affirmed in recent years that Sebta and Melilla are Moroccan.