The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Morocco's ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, on August 21. The reason for the summons was statements made by two Moroccan ministers about the Moroccan nature of two Spanish autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla.
This case contrasts with other recent diplomatic crises that Spain faced with countries such as Israel, Italy or Argentina, in which the meetings with ambassadors were made public. However, the meeting with the Moroccan ambassador was kept secret, unlike what has been usual in similar situations.
The summons of the ambassador came at a time of tension between the two countries, after the statements by the Moroccan ministers claiming Spanish sovereignty over the two autonomous cities located on the north African coast.
