Spain has rejected Morocco's latest push to discuss the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, saying the status of the two North African enclaves is not open for negotiation.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles made the position clear after Morocco's Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi reiterated Rabat's long-standing claim over the territories in an interview with Asharq TV.
Ouahbi said Morocco regularly raises the status of Ceuta and Melilla in discussions with Spain and wants the issue to eventually be resolved through dialogue.
The comments were the first public push on the territorial dispute since a major border crisis in late July, when an estimated 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, one of the largest surges since the 2021 crisis. At least 96 people died during the latest border rush.
Spain says its territory is not negotiable
