Spanish fm confirms legality of Morocco-Spanish joint sea patrols

Spanish foreign minister, Ana Palacio, confirmed that Moroccan-Spanish joint sea patrols to control migration flows in the sea between the Sahara (southwestern Morocco) and the Canary Islands is "conform to the rule of law."

The Spanish foreign minister brushed aside allegations by a representative of the separatist Polisario in Spain that challenged the two countries' joint patrols as a breach to international legality. She insisted that "all decisions taken by Spain are in keeping with the rule of law."

On Tuesday, head of the Spanish ruling popular party in the Canary Islands, Jose Manuel Soria, has also refuted allegations that Moroccan-Spanish joint sea patrols in this area are a breach to international legality, explaining that the "the decision taken jointly (last November) by the governments of Morocco and Spain does not violate the international law."

He also stressed that the Spanish government has always observed international legality both at home and abroad and expects its decisions to be respected by those who agree and those who disagree.

The decision was made during the 1st meeting of the Moroccan-Spanish permanent committee in charge of migration flow.