“They are very Spanish indeed,” replies Madrid. But Rabat wants to open negotiations. Regarding the events of 30 July, there is speculation that this was retaliation for a journalistic investigation accusing Moroccan intelligence services of spying on the Spanish establishment

l'avenir de Ceuta et de Melilla devrait être envisagé dans le cadre plus large des relations euro-méditerranéennes.

The migrant crisis has underscored Madrid’s increasingly tenuous geopolitical position.