Spain is said to be in the process of implementing its “protocols” for the passage of Moroccans, as part of Operation Paso del Estrecho (OPE).
Indeed, in a video relayed on social networks, viewed this Tuesday by Yabiladi, a Moroccan man in the parking lot of the port of Algeciras said that the Spanish local police would have put up a series of traffic signs, to manage the circulation.
On one of the panels, the Spanish authorities specify that it will be effective “from July 5, 2020 from 6 am until the end of Operation Paso del Estrecho (OPE 2020)”.
Earlier this week, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, the EU and Cooperation, Arancha González Laya, however reminded that there will be no Paso del Estrecho (OPE) operation as in previous years. She insisted that this cancellation does not mean the absence of citizens who will make this trip.
“It will depend on the degree of opening of the Moroccan border,” she said, assuring that the Spanish government has a “series of protocols prepared” for those who will cross the Strait of Gibraltar. “The protocols exist and are perfectly oiled, but they will be much less necessary than in previous years,” she added.
Arancha Gonzalez Laya had the same reaction, in an interview with a Spanish radio station, the day after Morocco announced the cancellation of Operation Marhaba 2020.
“If there are Moroccan citizens who want, in a more than individual way, to return to their countries this summer (…) Spain is ready for this transit of these citizens”, she replied.
Monday, June 22 in the House of Representatives, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans residing abroad, Nasser Bourita announced that “Operation (Marhaba) will not take place”, recalling that the Morocco “did not prepare anything in April”, unlike in previous years.
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