Morocco’s King Says Migration Cooperation With Spain Has Reached Its Limits

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has said that the country’s cooperation with Spain on irregular migration has reached its limits, despite producing concrete results. Speaking at the opening of parliament on October 9, the king criticised what he described as outdated and unrealistic Spanish court decisions that hinder the repatriation of migrants, including minors and rejected asylum seekers. He also warned that these legal obstacles could benefit criminal networks involved in irregular migration.

The comments follow a major migration crisis in Ceuta in July, when at least 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave. While most later returned, thousands, including minors, remained. Spanish opposition parties have criticised Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government and accused Morocco of facilitating the crossings, allegations that Rabat has rejected. Morocco instead attributed the crisis to social media and misunderstandings surrounding a court ruling.

Despite the tensions, King Mohammed VI reaffirmed that Morocco’s partnership with Spain was a sovereign choice and would not be subject to pressure or threats. He called for future cooperation focused on shared development, economic competitiveness and regional stability. Relations between the two countries had improved after Spain backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022, but the latest migration dispute has put bilateral ties under renewed strain. The king also urged lawmakers to prioritise young people in public policies.

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