Latest news with #Spain-Morocco
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Spanish Politician Raises Large Spanish Flags on Disputed Island Off Morocco's Coast
Rabat — Spanish politician Álvaro Pérez, leader of the The Party is Over (SALF) organization, has sparked controversy by displaying three massive 4-meter Spanish flags on a Spanish-occupied island near Al Hoceima, Morocco. The provocative act reignites tensions over territories that Rabat considers to be occupied Moroccan lands. Pérez, whose far-right group won three European Parliament seats in recent elections, reportedly smuggled the flags into Morocco in a suitcase undetected, despite his known hardline stance against Morocco. The incident has renewed discussions over these disputed coastal territories. However, Pérez's reckless move comes at a particularly sensitive time and can potentially significantly escalate tensions between Spain and Morocco. This comes mere days after Spanish fact-checking platform Newtral denied recent reports that Spain had removed its national flag from two small islets near the Moroccan coast, describing them as 'not accurate.' Yet Newtral's denial was in response to converging media reports from Spain suggesting that Spanish authorities had removed their flag from uninhabited islands known as 'El Bar' and 'El Bahar,' which is located off the Mediterranean coast of Morocco near Al Hoceima. Pérez's gesture is particularly inflammatory given the historical context of Spain-Morocco tensions over these territories. Previous incidents include the 2002 Perejil Island crisis, when Moroccan forces occupied an uninhabited island. This led to Spanish military intervention, showing how quickly such symbolic acts can escalate into serious diplomatic or military confrontations. Pérez's unilateral flag-raising, done without government authorization and amid already strained bilateral relations, risks undermining delicate diplomatic efforts and could provoke Morocco into retaliatory measures. Morocco has expressed political aspirations over these territories since its independence in 1956, making any provocative gestures particularly destabilizing to regional peace. Tags: Al HoceimaMoroccan islets
Morocco World
12-02-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
First Commercial Vehicle Successfully Crosses at Ceuta Border Crossing
Doha – The first authorized commercial vehicle completed its transit from Ceuta to Morocco on Tuesday. The vehicle, belonging to Vivera Atlantic-Mediterranean company, carried automotive parts from Rodaco and waited four and a half hours at the border before successfully completing all procedures. The vehicle entered the border zone at 3:30 p.m. and crossed into Morocco around 8:00 p.m., proceeding to the logistics zone in Fnideq for final customs formalities. 'This first official expedition constitutes a milestone in the normalization of commercial relations between both nations,' stated the Spanish Government Delegation in an official communication. This success comes after two previous attempts by the same vehicle on January 8 and January 16, when it was turned back while carrying hygiene products after spending about five hours at the border crossing each time. Spanish Government Delegate Cristina Pérez had earlier clarified that the previous delays were not due to political or diplomatic impediments but rather administrative matters. 'These are purely household issues, documents that need updating, and procedures that need to be smoothed out as we go along,' she explained. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a step back from the process, considering that diplomatic matters between the countries have been resolved. Minister José Manuel Albares met with Ceuta's President Juan Vivas on January 23, assuring that the commercial customs would open gradually under conventional operating conditions. According to the established regulations, vehicles from Spain can transport electronics, appliances, and cleaning products. In return, Moroccan exports can include aggregates, fruits, vegetables, and fish products. Current procedures allow for small trucks only, with limitations on frequency and specific timing requirements. The process began following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's announcement of a roadmap for Spain-Morocco relations in Rabat on April 7, 2022, which included provisions for land customs. The negotiations have stretched over nearly three years, resulting in this first successful crossing. This breakthrough heralds consequential ramifications for the mercantile sectors in Ceuta and Melilla, though Spanish traders have expressed reservations about the current arrangement's scope and implementation. Enrique Alcoba, president of Melilla's business association, expressed concerns about the transparency of the process, stating, 'If things continue to be done secretly like this, with just one small van per month, this isn't customs, nor transparency, nor mutual respect.' The primary aspiration of residents in both Ceuta and Melilla regarding Morocco extends beyond customs to the establishment of a traveler regime similar to what Morocco implements at its airports. This would allow people to carry gifts for family members in Morocco or tourist souvenirs worth up to €100 or €200, a practice currently restricted except during the summer's Operation Crossing the Strait. Read also: First Commercial Truck Crosses Morocco-Melilla Border After 6-Year Closure Tags: Border RelationsRegional Commercetrade
