Morocco’s gas explorations in its southern Atlantic waters have sparked a major political debate within Spanish circles, prompting Angel Victor Torres, president of the Canary Islands, to “categorically” reject any oil exploration in the archipelago’s waters.
Torres assures that the drilling operations are located “in Moroccan waters and not in ‘Sahrawi’ or Canary Islands waters,” adding that “these explorations are under the jurisdiction of Morocco,” he said this Wednesday, April 20, in statements to the press.
The President stressed that the Madrid government rejects any unilateral steps by Morocco, especially with regard to the project to demarcate its regional and international waters, saying that “the Canary Islands’ government categorically rejects any oil exploration in the Canary waters.”
He declared that “the Canary Islands will be present in any negotiations taking place between Morocco and Spain, which have to do with the waters that flow between the Canary Islands and Morocco.”
The official stated that the Canarian government “will not” allow anyone to touch “one millimeter” of its water, referring to international and European justice that states that “water is also subject to the jurisdiction of international legitimacy.
On the other hand, the President of the Canary Islands considered it “good” for countries that share borders, as is the case with Morocco and Spain – especially the Canary Islands – to have a “normal” relationship, as it helps everyone to have “greater security.”
When it comes to trade relations and agreements signed between the two countries, such as those pertaining to containing the influx of migrants, the Spanish official added that “there are no unilateral decisions” and “situations are resolved at the negotiating table.”
These statements come at a time when Moroccan-Spanish relations seem to be heading in a new positive direction, through the strengthening of joint cooperation and the exploration of new horizons for dialogue.
Morocco is a sovreign state that seeks not to harm other countries ,but only to regain its territorial integrity over its territories and waters that were usurped by ex- colonial powers for centuries.