Albares affirms that the pact with Rabat is fulfilled and defends the actions of the Moroccan police

MADRID, 25 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has assured that "the pact with Rabat is in force and is being fulfilled" and has defended the work of the Moroccan police in the control of migration and respect for human rights by Morocco.

Albares stated this Sunday in an interview in 'La Razón', collected by Europa Press, that Spain's position regarding the Sahara "is very clear" and the Government's objective is to maintain friendship between Spain and Morocco and achieve "a solution mutually acceptable policy within the framework of the United Nations".

"All the points of that Spanish-Moroccan declaration are being fulfilled. It is a roadmap, and as a roadmap it develops over time and is called to endure. There is a very close relationship between Spain and Morocco due to our geographical position, by historical ties, by cultural ties, by economic ties, by family and personal ties", he highlighted.

In this sense, he pointed out that, in migratory matters, there has been a "very significant" drop in the last four months, since he points to a 20 percent decrease in irregular entries, "while in Europe they are multiplying ". Likewise, he adds that there has also been a 30 percent increase in bilateral trade so far this year and normality has returned to the passage and movement of people in Ceuta and Melilla.

"All this has allowed, together with the full resumption of air and sea connections, that Operation Crossing the Strait has been a great success. In addition, the high-level meeting between the two governments will be held, which is not being held since 2015, before the end of the year. We are two neighboring countries and we are seeing the fruits of a relationship based on mutual benefit, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs", stressed Minister Albares.

The minister, asked about the tragedy of the Melilla fence, believes that it was something "exceptional", which served to "demonstrate the scrupulous work of the Spanish-Moroccan cooperation. "There are many, many assaults on the fence, and human dramas , like the one you remember, are obviously exceptional", he replied.

Regarding Algeria, he has pointed out that there should be a relationship based on mutual benefit and respect and non-interference in internal affairs. "Exactly the same as with the rest of the Arab countries", he has valued her.

On the other hand, Albares has also been asked about the situation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on which he has admitted that he does not know how far Putin can go because "from the beginning he has shown great irrationality."

He also assures that "there is no sign that indicates that there will be a use of nuclear weapons at this time" and has maintained that the Russian leader's threats will not serve to "intimidate" the allied response and the EU.

"Our goal is for peace to return to Ukraine and, therefore, to Europe as soon as possible. That the soldiers of the Russian Federation return within its borders, from which they should never have left. And that it be dialogue and diplomacy, which is what we Europeans and our transatlantic allies have always wanted, those who prevail in the face of any difference there may be," said Albares.