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Sunday, 19 October, 2025

الجريدة عربي Français

illegal immigration

The relationship between Algeria and Spain remains a focal point of political debate on the Iberian Peninsula, particularly concerning the ongoing challenge of illegal immigration. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is facing growing criticism from various political factions for his perceived failure to effectively engage with Algerian authorities to resolve past diplomatic disputes and curb the increasing number of illegal migrants reaching Spanish shores. This issue persists despite existing agreements between Madrid and Rabat. A recent call for action came from the local government of the Balearic Islands, a region particularly affected by migration due to its proximity to Algeria's western coast. The Balearic government urged Prime Minister Sanchez to adopt a more proactive diplomatic stance towards Algeria, emphasizing that without cooperation from the Algerian government, Spain will struggle to find a sustainable solution to the ongoing problem of illegal immigration. Antoni Costa, the official spokesperson for the Balearic government, expressed these concerns during a press conference following a government council meeting. Costa questioned whether Sanchez had established any meaningful contact with Algeria, implying that the lack of engagement was exacerbating the migration crisis. He noted with alarm that the number of illegal migrants arriving in the Balearic Islands in 2024 has already surpassed figures from the same period in 2023, with 2,500 migrants compared to 2,200 last year. The Balearic government, as reported by Europa Press, criticized the Sanchez administration for its inaction, accusing it of doing "absolutely nothing" to prevent the illegal immigration networks from exploiting the North Africa-Balearic route. Costa further accused Sanchez of making grand statements without implementing concrete measures to address the situation. Illegal immigration remains a deeply contentious issue in Spain, and it was a significant factor behind the Spanish government's controversial decision to align more closely with Morocco in early 2022. This shift in policy occurred after a crisis in May 2021, when Morocco allowed around 10,000 sub-Saharan migrants to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, leading to a major diplomatic rift. In response, Sanchez's government made significant concessions to the Moroccan regime, including altering Spain’s long-standing position on the Western Sahara conflict by supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for the region. However, more than two years after these concessions, the situation has only worsened. The expected reduction in migrant flows has not materialized, with numbers continuing to rise—not just through the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, but via new routes, including those leading to the Balearic Islands. This ongoing challenge underscores the urgent need for a recalibration of Spain's foreign policy, particularly in relation to Algeria, whose cooperation is increasingly seen as vital for effectively managing migration and addressing the broader geopolitical tensions in the region.

Spanish Politicians Urge PM Sanchez to Rebuild Ties with Algeria Amid Rising Immigration Concerns

2024-09-05 · International