The bilateral Spanish-Moroccan relations, the dilemma over Ceuta and Melilla

Abstract

This Final Degree Work aims to give a complete analysis of the situation between Spain and Morocco between the time period from 1975 to 2022, specifically on Ceuta and Melilla. This analysis uses secondary sources from academic research articles and papers specialized in Morocco, newspaper articles from established Spanish newspapers, institutional declarations from both and legal texts from Spain. The objective of this Work is to analyze the bilateral relations between the two Kingdoms and the dilemma over these territories, which could be framed and analyzed under two important theories that have shaped International Relations and are considered classic theories: Political Realism and Liberalism. This Work has studied the different Spanish administrations since the establishment of democracy in 1976 and the various relevant policies and actions executed towards Morocco and Ceuta and Melilla. The importance of these territories for the Moroccans can be traced back to the independence times of Morocco after the dissolution of the Protectorate in 1956, as it has been shown throughout this work. The territories are considered key for the future plans of the Moroccan authorities of becoming a regional power in Africa