Ceuta and Melilla: Morocco apologizes to Spain!
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- According to reports from Spanish newspapers, the Moroccan government has confirmed that a letter sent to Brussels, in which it claimed that Ceuta and Melilla are Moroccan cities, was a result of a “slip of the tongue” following the statements of the executive vice president in charge of immigration, Margaritis Schinas. The Moroccan government emphasized that “it maintains important cooperation with neighboring Spain, both economically and socially, and that a new phase of trust, joint coordination, and mutual respect is underway”.
It is worth noting that the message sent by Rabat to the European institutions has sparked a new dispute between Spain and Morocco. The Spanish government rejected the language used by Rabat, which referred to Ceuta and Melilla as Moroccan cities, and reiterated that Spain’s borders, including Ceuta and Melilla, are internationally recognized.
The European Commission has expressed its support for the statements made by the Vice-President of the Executive Authority responsible for migration, Margaritis Schinas, who has consistently referred to Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish territories.
