José Manuel Albares cools criticism of Pedro Sánchez and advocates for "effective" relations with Morocco

The Minister of Foreign Affairs maintains that the Government is not looking for "hard and soft" links, but rather useful cooperation for Spain, after the president's statements on the Ceuta crisis

of september 23, 2026 at 09:44h
EuropaPress 7780563 ministro asuntos exteriores union europea cooperacion jose manuel albares
EuropaPress 7780563 ministro asuntos exteriores union europea cooperacion jose manuel albares

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, denies that the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has raised the tone towards Morocco, and has defended that the Executive does not pursue relations that are "hard and soft", but "effective" for Spain's interests. Pedro Sánchez assured this Tuesday in an interview granted to CNN that he considers it "evident" that border control by Morocco "failed" in the massive entry of immigrants into Ceuta on July 30, and added that he has asked the Moroccan authorities for "actions and responses".

The Foreign Ministry's reading of the CNN interview

According to Europa Press, José Manuel Albares has downplayed these statements and stressed that Pedro Sánchez said "exactly" the same thing he had already explained during his intervention in the Plenary Session of Congress, regarding the situation in Ceuta after the massive entry of some 80,000 migrants.

The head of Foreign Affairs has remarked that the President of the Government also defended that "cooperation with Morocco is positive" and that "it is yielding results", beyond the fact that public attention has focused on "a phrase" pronounced during the interview.

A relationship based on respect and the Rabat declaration

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares has called for "a good relationship" with Morocco, based on respect for Spanish sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has also alluded to the principles contained in the Hispano-Moroccan Joint Declaration, agreed in Rabat.

Add ElConstitucional.es as a preferred Google source for free.

Stay informed about all the latest breaking news with the best information. Against disinformation, for democracy and social rights.

Activate now
The most read