Following the migration crisis in Ceuta, bilateral relations between Spain and Morocco continue to be tested. Although the Spanish government publicly strives to maintain friendly ties, recent statements and potential legal actions from Morocco have added pressure, further unsettling a partnership built on a delicate balance.
Morocco’s Multi-Faceted Pressure: Sovereignty Claims and Legal Threats
Recent statements from Morocco have significantly escalated tensions. Moroccan Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, not only publicly referred to Spain’s two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla, as “occupied cities” but also fiercely criticized Spain’s migration policy. He accused Spain of “accepting” and granting legal status to arriving migrants, arguing that this unilateral policy contradicts the shared border reality of the two countries.
Furthermore, Ouahbi revealed that his department is considering suspending the extradition treaty with Spain in response to its policies. He stressed that two countries sharing a border must establish “coherent and clear” bilateral procedures and cannot take contradictory actions.
The Spanish Government: Emphasizing Cooperation and Partnership
In the face of successive pressures from Morocco, top Spanish government officials have adopted a conciliatory and positive tone. Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, have repeatedly affirmed on multiple occasions that Morocco is a “very close and reliable partner” for Spain.
They emphasize that the relationship is built on “trust and loyalty,” and that both sides are engaged in “full cooperation.” Responding to the threat of a potential suspension of the extradition treaty, Marlaska stated that cooperation in this area has always been “excellent” and expressed confidence that it will continue in the future.
Domestic Dissent: Questioning Morocco’s ‘Reliability’
However, the Spanish government’s friendly stance has not met with unanimous domestic approval. The perspective of Juan Jesús Vivas, President of the Government of Ceuta, is particularly noteworthy. While acknowledging Morocco’s crucial role in cooperating to receive thousands of migrants stranded in Ceuta, he bluntly stated that Morocco is “not reliable.”
Vivas warned that whether another mass influx of migrants into Ceuta occurs in the future largely depends on Morocco’s willingness and effort to control its border. Meanwhile, Spain’s opposition party, the Partido Popular (PP), has also criticized the current government’s attitude towards Morocco as being too “submissive,” arguing that the government should take a tougher stance when it is necessary to clearly point out Morocco’s responsibilities.
