(Adnkronos) – Ceuta and Melilla “are Spain and are untouchable”. This was stated by the Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, who reiterated to Congress that any violation of national sovereignty will be dealt with “firmly”. During her hearing before the Defense Committee of Congress, convened to discuss the crisis caused by the massive entry of migrants from Morocco into Ceuta at the end of July, the minister insisted that “it is essential that no one has the slightest doubt” about Ceuta and Melilla belonging to Spain.
“It’s not just that they are Spanish, they are very Spanish, and we will not allow their values of coexistence and tolerance to be endangered or questioned,” Robles emphasized, warning that “any aggression or attempted aggression” against them constitutes an aggression against “the whole of Spain,” reiterating that Spanish sovereignty and territorial integrity “are untouchable.”
In her initial speech, the minister avoided explicitly mentioning Morocco, as she had done in statements following the massive entry of migrants, when she had asked Rabat not to “touch” Ceuta and Melilla. This is a different position from that of other government members, who continue to define the neighboring country as a “reliable” and “loyal” partner.
