Morocco claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, seeks dialogue with Spain

Ceuta border crisis Melilla sovereignty migration management funding Abdellatif Ouahbi EU-Morocco relations

Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has reaffirmed Morocco's claim to the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, describing them as a 'historical and geographic right' of the country. In a recent interview with the public broadcaster 2M, Ouahbi called for the establishment of a dialogue commission with Spain to seek a 'definitive solution' and facilitate the cities' return to Morocco.

These territorial claims follow a significant migration crisis in late July, during which approximately 72,000 people reportedly crossed irregularly into Ceuta. Amidst this tension, the European Commission has announced new funding initiatives to bolster Morocco's migration management capabilities. Between 2021 and 2024, the EU allocated roughly 222 million euros for this purpose, with expectations to provide an additional 190 million euros through 2027.

The EU is also working toward a broad strategic partnership with Morocco, aiming to finalize an agreement by the end of the year that covers economic cooperation, security, and regional stability, similar to recent agreements made with Egypt.

Entities

Abdellatif Ouahbi · Ceuta · European Commission · European Union · Melilla · Morocco · Spain

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The Moroccan Minister requested that Spain return all unaccompanied Moroccan minors who entered Ceuta during the July migration surge. www.farodevigo.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es · theobjective.com · www.eldiadecordoba.es · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Minister Ouahbi called for a solution to ensure the 'return' of Ceuta and Melilla to Morocco. www.esdiario.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.catalunyapress.cat · www.elcorreoweb.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The Moroccan Justice Minister proposed the creation of a dialogue commission with Spain to address the status of the two cities. www.esdiario.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.catalunyapress.cat · www.elcorreoweb.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The European Commission allocated approximately 222 million euros for migration management in Morocco between 2021 and 2024. nieuws.marokko.nl
[○ 1 SOURCE] The EU expects to provide an additional 190 million euros for migration management in Morocco through 2027. nieuws.marokko.nl
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 72,000 people reportedly crossed the border irregularly into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July. nieuws.marokko.nl · www.esdiario.com · es.euronews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The European Commission announced a new funding initiative to enhance Morocco's migration management capabilities following the Ceuta border crisis. wtxnews.com · es.euronews.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi asserted that Ceuta and Melilla are a historical and geographic right of Morocco. www.esdiario.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.catalunyapress.cat · www.elcorreoweb.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es · +3 more