The European Commission said Wednesday that the reported entry of Moroccan warships into waters off Ceuta in late July was “a matter for Spain and Morocco,” according to Spanish news agency EFE.
A Commission spokesperson said the two countries’ authorities should clarify the circumstances of the incident, while describing Morocco as a “strategic partner” on migration.
The spokesperson welcomed cooperation between Spain and Morocco following the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta on July 30 and 31, while reiterating that “Ceuta and Melilla are EU territory and part of the bloc’s external borders.”
The Commission also welcomed Morocco’s commitment to readmit everyone who arrived during the mass crossing, the spokesperson said.
Brussels is working to strengthen ties with Morocco and develop what it described as a “comprehensive and strategic partnership,” the spokesperson added.
On Monday, Spanish newspaper El País reported, citing unnamed sources, that at least one frigate and several patrol boats belonging to the Royal Moroccan Navy had entered Spanish waters without authorization following the mass border crossing.
According to the report, a Spanish frigate intercepted the Moroccan vessels and forced them to leave Spanish waters.
“We must acknowledge that such incidents do occur between two neighboring countries,” Spanish public broadcaster TVE quoted Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as saying.
On Tuesday, Spanish government spokesperson Elma Saiz described the incident as isolated and said it had been resolved through normal channels, in keeping with good-neighborly relations between the two countries.
Spanish authorities also said communication between the two countries’ naval forces had helped prevent further escalation.
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