Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares ruled out any negative impact on Spain from the strong ties between the U.S. administration under Donald Trump and Morocco. He emphasized that both Morocco and the United States maintain friendly and allied relations with Spain and Europe.
In an interview with Spain’s Telecinco on Monday morning, Albares addressed various international issues, including the war in Ukraine and Spain and Europe’s role in supporting Kyiv. He then responded to a question about whether Spain could be affected by Morocco’s good relations with the U.S., particularly concerning the disputed cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
The question came amid recent reports in Spanish media speculating that Trump might support Morocco’s claims over Ceuta and Melilla, just as he did during his previous term when he officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Albares dismissed such a scenario outright, stating, “Morocco is a friendly country and a strategic partner, and the United States has historically been the natural ally of all Europeans.” He also asserted that Ceuta and Melilla are "perfectly integrated" with Spain.
To further illustrate the current strong relations between Rabat and Madrid, Albares highlighted the reopening of the customs office in Melilla and the opening of a new office in Ceuta. He also pointed to bilateral cooperation in combating migration and terrorism, as well as the growing trade between the two nations, which has reached €25 billion.
