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Rabat – The government delegate in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Salvadora Mateos, has described relations between Spain and Morocco as “very good” despite unsettled issues between the two countries.
The official suggested that the dismissal of former Spain’s foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya is expected to yield positive results in the “coming days.”
Mateos also said that communication between Madrid and Rabat is “fluid” again, with reports that the two countries are willing to discuss repairing their damaged partnership.
“There was a crisis whose cases are known and it is not necessary to repeat, but there has been a change in the Ministry [of Foreign Affairs] and relations have resumed,”Mateos said.
The official asserted that relations with Spain are very good again, adding: “and in the next few days you will see it.”
Spain dismissed Laya during a cabinet reshuffle last month amid tensions with Morocco a few months after Madrid allowed the hospitalization of Polisario leader Brahim Ghali in a Spanish medical establishment.
Reports later revealed that the Polisario leader, who was wanted for a number of first-degree crimes, entered Spain with falsified documentation. The episode created unprecedented tensions between Morocco and Spain, prompting Rabat to recall its ambassador from Madrid..
Last week, Spanish media quoted their country’s diplomatic sources as satisfied with an invitation from Morocco to participate in a counterterrorism-themed event.
According to the diplomats quoted in reports by a number of Spanish outlets, last week’s invitation “the first of its kind since the crisis” with Morocco and signals that relations between Madrid and Rabat are heading towards “normalcy” after months of tensions.
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In addition to bilateral relations, Mateos also commented on the irregular migration crisis.
According to local Spanish media La Vanguaria, Mateos expressed regret concerning the crisis and stated that the irregular migrants had chosen the “quickest” way to reach Spain.
In mid-May, thousands of irregular migrants swam their way into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta,exacerbating tensions between Morocco and Spain.
The Spanish government did not allow hundreds of migrants to enter upon their arrival, while others were forcibly deported to Morocco. Thousands of migrants were also asked to voluntarily return to Morocco.
Mateos said that more migrants will be expelled with an “order prohibiting entry into Spain and the rest of the EU for five or ten years.”
