“Unfortunately, outside of our will, today we are facing a difficult situation,” said the Moroccan ambassador, Karima Benyaich, yesterday in reference to the illegal entry of thousands of people into Ceuta, during her speech at the reception she hosted to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the enthronement of Mohamed VI.
The ambassador assured that her government “wants these citizens to return to our country,” after stating that the new migration crisis “is not something that pleases us” and advocating for “legal, orderly, and safe immigration for all.”
In the absence of the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who will travel to Ceuta tomorrow, Karima Benyaich explained that “our governments are in continuous contact to resolve this situation not desired by Morocco.” “We want responsible, humane, and solidarity-based management of immigration,” she insisted, before recalling that Spain hosts a significant well-integrated Moroccan community.
The head of the Moroccan diplomatic mission in Spain gave a long and very positive review of the bilateral Hispano-Moroccan relations, “which are experiencing one of the most fruitful moments in our history”, in a multidimensional framework that “has turned this partnership into a regional and international reference, yielding results in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration.”
The ambassador expressed her conviction that, in the entirety of bilateral relations, “we are privileged partners” called to build a common future. She highlighted the “fraternal relations that unite our royal houses,” in addition to the new impetus given by Pedro Sánchez’s visit to Mohamed VI in 2022, which opened “a new ambitious stage based on mutual respect and permanent dialogue.” In this regard, Benyaich stated that the celebration of the High-Level Meeting (RAN) last December reaffirmed the commitment of both governments “to a modern, strategic, and innovative partnership.”
Karima Benyaich concluded her review of the long list of common issues with a reminder for the Moroccans crossing Spain from all over Europe, who last year reached a total of 3.5 million people, noting that “this year there will be more.”
She also recalled that Morocco is Spain’s third commercial partner, after the United States and the United Kingdom. For all these reasons, she said, “Morocco and Spain will continue to walk side by side for our friendship, understanding, and cooperation.”
The ambassador did not miss the opportunity to congratulate Spain on its victory in the World Cup. She emphasized that it was a victory “celebrated in many cities in Morocco” that transcends sports, as the championship to be held in 2030 in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, “will indissolubly unite Africa and Europe, consolidating our nations as references of progress, harmony, and shared future.”
