Diplomatic tensions rise as Morocco counters European Commissioner's 'skidding' statement

Diplomatic tensions rise as Morocco counters European Commissioner's 'skidding' statement
Thursday 1 June 2023 - 18:00

Spokesperson for the Moroccan government, Mustafa Baitas, defended on Thursday the response from Rabat to the European Commissioner responsible for Immigration, Margaritis Schinas, who referred to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish.

Baitas said that the Moroccan response was necessary to address the Commissioner’s ‘skidding’, without giving more details.

The term “skidding” was used by the spokesperson in reference to the statements made by the European Commissioner about the two Spanish cities.

Baitas wanted to make it clear that Morocco’s position on Schinas’ remarks is separate from its relationship with Spain. He emphasized that the two countries have a relationship based on trust, cooperation, and respect.

“I want to emphasize once again that Morocco is proud to have a strong cooperation with neighboring Spain, based on trust and working together to overcome various challenges, whether they are economic or social. We are entering a new phase, supported by our King, that is built on trust, cooperation, and mutual respect,” said Baitas.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs filed a complaint with the Moroccan embassy in Spain, strongly rejecting the language used by the Moroccan government in its letter to the European Commission, in which it expressed its dissatisfaction with the repeated references to Ceuta and Melilla.

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