The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, dismissed concerns that the strong relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Morocco—particularly Washington's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara during his first term—would influence Spain's stance on Ceuta and Melilla. When asked about the matter, Albares responded, «Absolutely not», emphasizing that «Morocco is a friendly country and a strategic partner, while the United States is the natural ally of all European countries». He added, «The status of the two cities is completely clear as part of Spain, and this is indisputable for everyone». The minister highlighted the recent reopening of customs in Melilla and the establishment of a new customs point in Ceuta. He also praised cooperation with Morocco in areas such as combating irregular migration and terrorism, as well as the record-breaking trade exchange between the two countries, which has reached 25 billion euros. Albares' remarks seek to reassure the public about Spain's position on Ceuta and Melilla and its relations with both Morocco and the United States. However, despite his reassurances, some analysts and political circles, as reported by Iberian media, believe that Washington's stance and Spain's evolving relationship with Morocco could influence the cities' stability in the future.
