Morocco deems completion of territorial integrity an absolute priority, fm
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/16/2002

Morocco deems the completion of its territorial integrity an absolute priority and renews readiness to engage in dialogue with Spain to arrive at a solution that guarantees the sovereign rights of Morocco over the occupied cities of Sebta and Melillia and the neighboring Islands.

The remarks were made by Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa in the address he delivered Saturday before the 57th session of the UN General Assembly.

The completion of the Moroccan territorial integrity constitutes an absolute priority for the Moroccan sovereign and the entire Moroccan people and from this perspective, Morocco considers the status of the occupied cities of Sebta and Melilia and the neighboring islands to be a historically anachronistic instance of colonialism that is irrelevant at the turn of the 21st century, Said Benaissa.

"Morocco has never ceased to demand solemnly, at bilateral level as well as in international forums, the recovery of these parts of its national territory, which are occupied by Spain. In so doing, Morocco expressed its readiness to engage in dialogue to arrive at a solution that guarantees the sovereign rights of Morocco and secures the interests of the Spanish community in those regions," Benaissa pointed out, stating further, "We pin fervent hopes that the two neighbor kingdoms of Morocco and Spain, which are bound by bonds of neighborliness as well as common history and future, will be able to build strong and stable mutual relations that meet the ambitions of their peoples."

"In this spirit of open-mindedness, responsibility and confidence in the future, Morocco aspires to develop its relations with Spain with a view to contributing to building the Euro-Mediterranean region and moving forward," the Moroccan official went on to say, deploring however, that "the last months have most unfortunately witnessed the occurrence of events inconsistent with the logic of maintaining security and stability in the region and unlikely to serve the interests of both countries and peoples."

The Moroccan Foreign Minister was alluding to the crisis that strained relations between Morocco and Spain for months prompting Morocco to call back its Ambassador to Madrid for consultation in October 2001. The crisis climaxed last July after Spain invaded and occupied the Mediterranean Islet of Tourah/Leila, located some 150 meters off the Moroccan coast. The Islet crisis was defused at the mediation of the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

"Morocco, which has been strenuously endeavoring to avoid any move likely to affect adversely the steady growth of its relations with Spain, is pinning hopes that the upcoming Moroccan-Spanish talks would tackle all issues and conflicts existing between the two countries within the framework of a responsible, serene and constructive dialogue," Benaissa said.

The two countries' foreign ministers are scheduled to hold a meeting in Madrid on September 23.

Previous Stories:
  Le Nouvel Afrique-Asie: Spain's military action in Tourah islet will not veil islet moroccanity, Moroccan FM   (9/11/2002)
  All historical, legal, geographical data evidence Morocco's rights on tourah islet, fm   (8/27/2002)
  Spain-occupied Sebta and Melillia are Moroccan, Spanish Journalist   (8/24/2002)

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