Marrakech – Spanish intelligence analyst Fernando Cocho has once again asserted that Spain and Morocco have an agreement to establish joint sovereignty over the cities of Ceuta and Melilla between 2030 and 2032.
In recent statements, Cocho added that this plan has the full knowledge and approval of the European Union, particularly France, as well as the United States.
According to Cocho, Morocco’s strategy is to gradually isolate the two Spanish autonomous cities economically and logistically.
He pointed to the lack of protests from the Spanish government over stricter border controls that have impacted workers who regularly cross into the enclaves.
“It also harms Morocco, but it’s mainly an inconvenience for the people who cross the borders every day to Melilla and Ceuta, and that’s what matters to them,” Cocho stated.
The analyst claimed that Morocco’s aim is to absorb as much maritime trade as possible through the Tanger Med port, while exporting consumer goods like vehicles worth up to €24 billion.
Morocco is also conducting military maneuvers in the territorial waters of the Canary Islands, which it considers an area of economic interest based on its national security laws.
“That’s their goal, and no one is doing anything, no one will do anything, and they will keep advancing on that front,” Cocho warned. “We should be very worried, but the central government doesn’t care at all.”
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Cocho said he has raised these concerns multiple times, in Ceuta, Melilla and La Palma, often facing backlash.
He reaffirmed his previous statements, citing documents about investments related to Morocco’s 2030 plan, solar and photovoltaic projects, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, and exports from Tanger Med – all aligned with the idea of a “Greater Morocco.”
The intelligence expert lamented the lack of diplomatic response from Spain in the face of these alleged Moroccan maneuvers.
The EU is fully aware of this plan, he argued, explaining that “maneuvers cannot be carried out on the border of EU member countries, in jurisdictional waters of national territory such as those of the Canary Islands, without the EU’s knowledge.”
With Morocco achieving “a strong position on Western Sahara, Ceuta and Melilla” with “the sustained support of France and the EU,” Cocho claimed, the Kingdom’s next strategic aim is to gain influence over the sovereignty of the Canary Islands and the two autonomous cities.
He also alleged the US is aware of and unconcerned by Morocco’s expansion and potential concession of Spanish sovereignty.
Ceuta and Melilla were historically part of the Moroccan sultanate for centuries before being occupied by Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. Moroccans have long contended that the two enclaves should be returned to the North African kingdom as they are geographically and historically an integral part of its territory.
