El Parlamento Árabe critica la resolución de la Eurocámara sobre la crisis migratoria en Ceuta
The Arab Parliament, associated with the Arab League, has rejected the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 10 June on Rabat's use of migration during its diplomatic crisis with Spain.
At the emergency session in Cairo, the Arab body showed its full support for Morocco, considering the European Parliament's gesture as "clear blackmail and unacceptable interference to achieve its interests". During the meeting, they also called the European intervention in the crisis between Madrid and Rabat "provocative" and "arrogant".
The European Parliament, with regard to the migration crisis in Ceuta last May, condemned "the involvement of children, unaccompanied minors and families in the mass crossing of the Moroccan border with the Spanish city". These actions, according to the European institution, put the lives and safety of these citizens and minors at "clear risk". It also considered the Kingdom's actions to be "blackmail", emphasising the use of vulnerable people. The resolution was adopted by 397 votes in favour, 85 against and 196 abstentions.
The European statements have been considered by the Arab Parliament as "false criticism and baseless accusations that contradict the rules of diplomacy". It also urged its European counterpart to abandon these "provocative practices" and improve cooperation and coordination between Arab and European countries with useful measures.
During the session, the body reiterated its solidarity with the Alawi Kingdom and the monarch Mohammed VI, assigning the president of the Parliament, Adel bin Abdelrahman al-Asouni, as the person responsible for taking measures to support Morocco.
In addition to reproaching the European Parliament's attitude, the Arab institution took advantage of the meeting to call for the issue of the cities of Ceuta and Melilla and "the Moroccan islands" to be opened up as "relics of the colonial era".
Shortly after the European Parliament condemned Morocco's actions, the Alawi foreign ministry issued a statement responding to the accusations. Rabat reminded Europe that "paternalism is a dead end", referring to the cooperation it has developed with Brussels on migration issues. "It is the same people who try to criticise Morocco in this area who actually benefit from the concrete and daily results of cooperation on the ground," Nasser Bourita's ministry assured.
Morocco also asked the European Parliament not to get involved in its problems with Spain. The crisis between the two neighbouring countries began in April after Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali was admitted to a Spanish hospital. Madrid failed to inform Rabat about the Sahrawi's stay in Spain, creating the controversy that exists today. This diplomatic confrontation escalated after the May migration crisis in Ceuta, involving other actors such as the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament, which backed the Moroccan position. The African institution underlined Morocco's role in "the fight against terrorism, illegal immigration and human trafficking".