Albares works to keep Morocco from retaliating after royal visit to Ceuta and Melilla
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has been negotiating with Morocco to avoid strong reprisals following King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s trip to the Spanish enclaves. The Spanish government expects at most a diplomatic protest, such as recalling the Moroccan ambassador.
In preparation for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s historic visit to the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares engaged in intensive talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, a dialogue that has become almost daily. Both sides claim the overall bilateral relationship remains "excellent" and cite a private meeting in New York during the UN General Assembly as evidence of ongoing cooperation.
Madrid’s officials stress that the royal tour simply asserts Spain’s right to access its own territories, and they expect Morocco’s reaction to be limited to diplomatic protests, possibly recalling its ambassador for a short period. Nevertheless, the article warns that the Spanish government lacks any firm assurance that Morocco will not take harsher steps, recalling past incidents where the kingdom threatened "future consequences" after similar visits. The Moroccan ambassador Karima Benyaich Millán attended a reception at the Royal Palace without incident, meeting both Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. The Spanish government hopes the diplomatic effort will keep the situation calm ahead of upcoming general elections.
Why it matters
The diplomatic handling of the royal visit could affect Spain-Morocco relations and regional stability.
How this story developed
- Oct 7 Spanish monarchs to host civil society representatives from Ceuta and Melilla at palace reception
- Oct 12 Moroccan naval vessels entered Spanish territorial waters around Ceuta while large numbers of migrants crossed the land border, prompting a Spanish naval response.
- Oct 13 The royals have begun an overnight stay in Ceuta as part of their extended visit.
- Oct 13 Santa María was replaced by the frigate Navarra after a mechanical failure.
- Oct 13 Police and the army cleared the Guano informal migrant settlement in Ceuta’s northern bay days before the royal visit.
In this story
Related stories
19 in this thread