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Morocco constantly sometimes makes claims over territories that don't belong them. Usually small islands of no use to anyone. Probably a play on nationalist fee

by amval 7y ago

Morocco constantly sometimes makes claims over territories that don't belong them. Usually small islands of no use to anyone. Probably a play on nationalist feelings, quite stupid. Despite this theater, Morocco and Spain have a benefitial economic relationship. Something similar could be said about the UK. But they are actually more aggressive and Gibraltar harmful to the surrounding area (smuggling and off-shore societies). UK makes claims about the surrounding waters (which as far as I know, they have no claim to) and it's very bullish about enforcing that right. Given the nationalistic derive UK is taking and the change in status because of Brexit, it is very likely that tensions will rise.

iso947 7y ago
Lol. Gibraltar has been UK territory for longer than the US has existed. By all means grumble about it, but if you grumble about morocco claiming Melilla in the same breath and don’t see the hypocrisy you really need to try to take an objective look at your views.
- pmargam 7y ago
  Melilla's been Spanish since 1487... 226 years before Spain ceded control of Gibraltar in the treaty of Utrech in 1713.
- amval 7y ago
  I invite you to reread my comment, as I do not talk about whether the UK having Gibraltar is legitimate or not. I simply pointed out that as far as I know and as per the treaty, it doesn't have surrounding waters. This is not something the UK agrees with and it is a source of constant tensions. If you want to draw comparisons with Melilla, it was an abandoned military plaza that was simply taken by the Castilian crown in the 15th century. It is not a colony, unlike Gibraltar (according to ONU). Morocco didn't exist as a clear political entity back then, so I am not sure what claims would they have to it. And what I was "grumbling" about Morocco referred to the "Islote de Perejil", where Morocco claimed an inhabited island near Ceuta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perejil_Island_crisis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perejil_Island_crisis And my personal views are that if Spain could easily get rid of Ceuta and Melilla most spaniards politicians would sign right of the bat. They are just a sinkhole of money, source of diplomatic tensions and immigration problems.

by amval 7y ago

iso947 7y ago

Lol. Gibraltar has been UK territory for longer than the US has existed. By all means grumble about it, but if you grumble about morocco claiming Melilla in the same breath and don’t see the hypocrisy you really need to try to take an objective look at your views.

pmargam 7y ago
Melilla's been Spanish since 1487... 226 years before Spain ceded control of Gibraltar in the treaty of Utrech in 1713.
amval 7y ago
I invite you to reread my comment, as I do not talk about whether the UK having Gibraltar is legitimate or not. I simply pointed out that as far as I know and as per the treaty, it doesn't have surrounding waters. This is not something the UK agrees with and it is a source of constant tensions. If you want to draw comparisons with Melilla, it was an abandoned military plaza that was simply taken by the Castilian crown in the 15th century. It is not a colony, unlike Gibraltar (according to ONU). Morocco didn't exist as a clear political entity back then, so I am not sure what claims would they have to it. And what I was "grumbling" about Morocco referred to the "Islote de Perejil", where Morocco claimed an inhabited island near Ceuta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perejil_Island_crisis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perejil_Island_crisis And my personal views are that if Spain could easily get rid of Ceuta and Melilla most spaniards politicians would sign right of the bat. They are just a sinkhole of money, source of diplomatic tensions and immigration problems.