Morocco pledges closer cooperation with Spain over Ceuta migrant returns

Morocco has reaffirmed its willingness to cooperate with Spain to return migrants who entered Ceuta at the end of July, according to Spain’s foreign ministry.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Naser Burita told his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, during a meeting in New York that Rabat was committed to helping ensure the migrants’ return “as soon as possible”, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The two ministers discussed the return of irregular migrants who have remained in Ceuta since 30 July and who do not have the right to international protection, Spanish diplomatic sources said.

Morocco had already said it was prepared to readmit those who crossed into Ceuta irregularly on July 30 and 31. In a statement on September 10, Rabat questioned why the returns had not yet taken place and criticised the continued separation of unaccompanied minors from their families.

During Thursday’s meeting, Albares also stressed Spain’s desire to maintain good relations with Morocco based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of a 2022 joint declaration.

His comments followed recent statements by two Moroccan ministers regarding the status of Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish territories on Morocco’s northern coast.

Albares said earlier this week that Spain would not negotiate its territorial integrity with Morocco or any other country, adding that this included Ceuta and Melilla.

By Aghakazim Guliyev