Spanish Opposition Parties Urge Government to Strengthen Ties with Morocco on Security and Immigration

In the text approved by 28 votes in favor and 7 against, including Podemos, the PP and the PSOE urged the government to "re-promote and strengthen diplomatic relations with Morocco, for a balanced and effective, fair and reliable collaboration, based on good neighborliness, particularly in the areas related to security, trade policies and the management of borders and migratory flows." The two parties also call on the Executive to develop "a strategic plan to improve the development conditions of Ceuta and Melilla" and, in relation to the EU, to find sustainable answers to "issues related to immigration, with greater involvement through FRONTEX, and to promote international cooperation with third countries."

To read: Spain’s Sánchez Seeks to Mend Ties with Morocco, Calls for Renewed Cooperation

The PP and PSOE also wished that the Sanchez government work to "strengthen the collaboration of the Moroccan government in the process of repatriating minors to their families," and to recognize "the work of the Spanish armed and security forces, NGOs and citizens of Ceuta, which has prevented a major tragedy last May."

For its part, the far-right party Vox also presented a proposal to the Commission in which it calls on the government "to suspend the granting of cooperation aid to Morocco intended to fight illegal immigration, as long as diplomatic relations between the two countries are not restored." This text was rejected by 30 votes against and only 5 in favor, despite the insistence of Vox spokesman Alberto Asarta, who warned that "Spain’s territorial integrity is threatened and with it the lives of many Spaniards."

"Relations with Morocco are difficult, because there are conflicting interests" but also "essential" in matters such as immigration or the fight against terrorism," PSOE spokesman Sergio Gutiérrez pointed out, urging "both Vox and PP" to "a little more loyalty, less demagoguery and more high-mindedness in the face of a recurring situation and in which we need a little more cooperation and less cynicism."