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Spain's Foreign Ministry removes maps of Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania amid diplomatic tensions
The Spanish Foreign Ministry has quietly removed maps of Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania from its official website as the new year begins. This action coincided with negotiations led by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares regarding the reopening of customs crossings in Ceuta and Melilla. Initially expected to result in the reopening of these crossings last Wednesday, the discussions failed due to technical excuses presented by Moroccan officials.
Morocco is demanding further concessions from Spain, including full recognition of its sovereignty over Sahara, similar to France's recent acknowledgment of Moroccan claims over the territory. Following a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to King Mohammed VI supporting Morocco's stance on Sahara, the French Foreign Ministry updated its map to include the disputed territory as part of Morocco.
In a related move, Spain's Foreign Ministry has also deleted maps of Algeria and Mauritania. Previously, Spain's foreign files included detailed maps showing borders for each country, with Morocco's borders clearly defined in accordance with United Nations recommendations. However, the recent update has led to the removal of these maps for Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania—nations adjacent to the disputed territory.
Sources within Spain's Foreign Ministry confirmed to El Independiente that a comprehensive update of all country files is underway. However, no additional explanations were provided regarding this sudden change affecting specific countries.
The documents related to Morocco prepared by the Spanish Foreign Ministry included regional organization details that encompassed all its territories, including Sahara. They also referenced a letter from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to King Mohammed VI in March 2022, marking a shift in Spain's position on the Sahara conflict. The document stated: "Spain acknowledges the significance of the Sahara issue for Morocco and recognizes the serious and credible efforts made by Morocco within the framework of the United Nations to find an acceptable solution for both parties. In this context, Spain considers Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal as the most serious, realistic, and credible basis for resolving this dispute."
This development highlights ongoing tensions and diplomatic complexities surrounding territorial claims in North Africa.
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