Morocco’s territorial sovereignty is non-negotiable, Nizar Baraka, Secretary-General of the Istiqlal (Independence) Party and Minister of Equipment and Water, said Saturday, referring to Ceuta and Melilla, the two Spanish-administered cities that Morocco considers part of its national territory, while describing Spain as an essential partner.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Istiqlal (Independence) Party in Rabat to present its electoral program ahead of Morocco’s September 23 parliamentary elections, Baraka stressed that the kingdom’s growing regional and international standing would not come at the expense of its national principles.
Referring to recent developments surrounding Ceuta, Baraka said Madrid had approached the issue from the perspective of what it considered a threat to its national security. His remarks come as Morocco and Spain continue to strengthen a strategic partnership spanning political, economic and security cooperation.
Baraka nevertheless emphasized the importance of Morocco’s relationship with Spain, describing Madrid as an essential partner. At the same time, he made clear that closer bilateral ties would not lead Rabat to compromise on what Morocco considers its territorial sovereignty, including its claims over Ceuta and Melilla.
The Istiqlal Party leader also warned that Morocco’s growing geopolitical influence “does not please everyone,” arguing that some decisions taken by countries Morocco considers friends and partners are aimed at slowing the kingdom’s development and limiting its room for maneuver in the future.
Baraka highlighted Morocco’s expanding strategic position in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, pointing to the Tanger Med port and the Nador West Med project, as well as King Mohammed VI’s Atlantic Initiative aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s links with Sahel countries and its broader African hinterland.
Concluding his remarks on Spain, Baraka delivered a clear message to Madrid, saying Morocco considers Spain “an essential partner” but will not compromise on its territorial claims. “We consider Spain an essential partner for us, but we will not retreat by an inch from our national territory,” he said.
