The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced that King Felipe VI will make his first official visit to Ceuta and Melilla, almost 20 years after the last trip by a Spanish monarch to these Spanish territories in northern Africa.
The previous visit was made by Felipe VI's father, Juan Carlos I, and triggered a diplomatic crisis with Morocco. Morocco considers Ceuta and Melilla as occupied territories and demands their annexation.
Sánchez stated there is no evidence that Morocco caused the recent migration crisis that affected Ceuta, rejecting the accusations that point to a deliberate action by the Moroccan government.
The announcement of the royal visit comes at a time of tension between Spain and Morocco, after the migration crisis that led thousands of people to try to enter Ceuta.



