Government plays down concerns over diplomatic breakdown with Morocco

The government is playing down the possibility of a diplomatic breakdown with Morocco, after the Moroccan Justice Minister threatened to suspend the country’s extradition agreement with Spain.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, speaking during a visit to Ceuta, said he does not expect Morocco to suspend extraditions, describing judicial and security cooperation between the two countries as exceptional.

The comments come amid continuing tensions following last month’s mass migrant crossings into Ceuta.

Morocco has criticised Spain’s handling of migrants arriving from its territory, while Madrid says cooperation with Rabat remains strong and will continue.

Photo: Ministry of the Interior