Morocco's Justice Minister Claims "Historic Right" to Ceuta and Melilla
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Morocco's Minister of Justice has said that his country has a "historic right" to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. These two cities are on the coast of North Africa, but they are controlled by Spain.
The minister's comments have caused a strong reaction. He said Morocco's claim to the cities comes from history, not from current international borders.
The Spanish government quickly responded to Morocco's minister. Officials said clearly that Ceuta and Melilla "are Spanish cities." This shows that Spain will not accept Morocco's claim.
Ceuta and Melilla have been under Spanish control for centuries. However, Morocco has long argued that the cities should belong to it because of their location and history in North Africa.
This is not the first time the topic has caused tension between the two neighbouring countries. Spain and Morocco often discuss shared interests, but the status of these two cities remains a difficult and sensitive issue.
The Spanish government's quick response suggests it wants to avoid any doubt about its position. It has repeated that the cities are, and will remain, part of Spain.
For now, no further details have been given about what actions, if any, will follow this exchange of statements between the two governments.
Vocabulary10 words
- Minister of Justice
- a top government official who works on laws
- historic right
- a claim based on old history, not current law
- Ceuta
- a small Spanish city in North Africa
- Melilla
- another small Spanish city in North Africa
- Spain
- a European country that controls Ceuta and Melilla
- Spanish government
- the leaders and officials who run Spain
- claim
- a statement that something belongs to you
- tension
- a feeling of stress between two sides
- sensitive issue
- a topic that can easily cause an argument
- status
- the official position or situation of something
Quiz
Answer key
1. A "historic right" to Ceuta and Melilla 2. It said the cities are Spanish 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Morocco's Minister of _____ has said that his country has a "historic _____" to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
These two cities are on the coast of North Africa, but they are _____ by Spain.
The Spanish _____ quickly responded to Morocco's minister, saying clearly that Ceuta and Melilla "are Spanish cities."
Ceuta and Melilla have been under Spanish control for _____. However, Morocco has long argued that the cities should belong to it.
This is not the first time the topic has caused _____ between the two neighbouring countries.
The status of these two cities remains a difficult and _____ issue.