Ouahbi: Morocco shall « not serve as a check-point for Europe and Spain », and the latter is under the obligation of respecting its bilateral agreements

In light of the recent events within the occupied Ceuta crossing, PAM Secretary General, Abdellatif Ouahbi, stated that the current situation is strongly linked to the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain, recalling that the latter has always played friendly and neighbourly roles vis-à-vis the Moroccan side, for it stands as Morocco’s main economic partner; however, Spain has failed to respect the privileges that the Moroccan-Spanish relations have always brought upon to both nations.

“Spain has crossed the line by deliberately violating its bilateral agreements with Morocco, especially in terms of security cooperation and the extradition of criminals, as well as several international conventions regulating the functions of both the Security Council and the Interpol”, Ouahbi revealed, during his interview with SNRT National Radio, noting that in the event that one party relinquishes its obligations, the other party is entitled to drop its commitment as well.

Morocco refuses to play “the seashore security guard” for Europe and Spain to feel at ease, Ouahbi stressed, claiming that the events in Ceuta represent a clear message to the Spanish authorities that Morocco is not bound to abide by the latter’s ruling over that matter, and that the Spanish call for Morocco to respect its agreements regarding the fight against illegal immigration and the preservation of peace and security in the Mediterranean region will only be taken into account if Spain is to fulfil its part of the deal as well.

Meanwhile, PAM Secretary General indicated that “immigration” in its broad sense is a natural right to anyone seeking a better living environment, and that the difficult social and economic circumstances some people might experience in their lifetime can cause them to search for a “breakthrough” in order to redeem themselves. Minors, however, are not to be held responsible for doing as such, for the concept of immigration means nothing more to them than an “imitation game” they like to try out when discussing it further with their fellow adults, Ouahbi added.

It is noteworthy that the Moroccan government was keen on assuming its fully responsibility with regard to under-age immigrants, for it has been trying tirelessly to collaborate with Spain in the prospect of bringing these young souls back home as stipulated by several Moroccan-Spanish agreements; yet, Spain tended to “break faith” with the kingdom by deliberately receiving a Polisario official, backed by a clear and provocative Algerian cover-up.