Spain: 86% of citizens prioritize cooperation with Morocco for border security

A recent barometer from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) reveals that 86.3% of Spaniards believe it is of “much or considerable importance” to reach agreements with Morocco to ensure border security. The survey, conducted following the arrival of approximately 80,000 migrants in Ceuta in late July, indicates that 82.2% of respondents view reinforcing borders as a necessity.

While 77.1% of those surveyed consider the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla to be as Spanish as any other territory in the peninsula, 14.3% describe their status as “ambiguous and special,” requiring specific agreements with Rabat. Furthermore, 89.4% of respondents believe the European Union should increase its collaboration with the Spanish government to resolve the migration crisis.

Regarding potential external interference in migration flows intended to strain Spain-Morocco relations, 67.7% of respondents answered “yes.” Among those who believe interference exists, 49.1% point to the United States, followed by sectors of Moroccan society (38.1%) and Israel (35.4%).