Morocco’s representation to the European Union and NATO sent an email to MEPs yesterday to try to influence the vote on Ceuta. PNV MEP Oihane Agirregoitia revealed this during today’s plenary session of the European Parliament, and this newspaper has accessed the email that the Moroccan government indeed sent yesterday to some MEPs, as the PP and Vox claim they have no record of this sending.
“I want to echo that email we MEPs received yesterday from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to the EU and NATO, and I refer to reading it literally,” Agirregoitia began. “Given the exceptional nature, magnitude, and complexity of this regrettable situation, Morocco commits to readmitting all affected persons, including Moroccan citizens, unaccompanied minors, and nationals of third countries. Well, let it be so because the images and information we are receiving do not say the same,” the document continues in its second point out of six in total.
“Ahead of the upcoming debate in the European Parliament plenary titled ‘Recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalization of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders,’ I would like to share with you the following information, which sets out the position of the Kingdom of Morocco, with the aim of clarifying the situation and constructively contributing to the debate,” the email begins, making clear its intention to influence and condition that vote.
The text says that “Moroccan authorities are working to determine the causes and actors behind this situation,” that is, they reject any possible responsibility for the invasion of Ceuta. “This includes examining the evident role played by disinformation spread through social networks, as well as the manipulation of vulnerable people by illicit migrant trafficking and human trafficking networks,” the document continues with an argument already classic both for Morocco and the Spanish Government itself.
And about the Spanish Executive, the email does not hesitate to take advantage of the fact that “the Spanish Government has publicly declared that the information it has does not allow holding Morocco responsible for these events.” “It has also acknowledged Morocco’s quick and active cooperation to facilitate the return of the vast majority of irregular migrants,” it adds.
Agirregoitia has assured that the email had reached “all” MEPs, but in reality not all have received it. In the People’s Party and Vox, for example, they claim they have no record of the text, and in the PSOE there are also some parliamentarians who did not receive it.
