In this country, some of us have a sense of State, and we have demonstrated it countless times, while others lose their sense too often and seem only interested in the State if they can get something out of it to fatten their wallets.
In 2002, our Army carried out an operation to capture and evict the Moroccan military who had occupied the Perejil Island, attacking Spanish sovereignty. At that time, the Secretary General of the PSOE, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, defended without complexes the attitude of the Executive Branch presided over by José María Aznar in the crisis over the incident on the Perejil Island, understanding that at that moment the only priority was to defend the interests of Spain. This is a sense of State.
In 2021, Morocco has again tried to pressure Spain by allowing thousands of people to cross the border and enter the Autonomous City of Ceuta. What has been the response of the Popular Party? Days before, Pablo Casado met telematically with a Moroccan political leader, of ultranationalist cut and who claims the sovereignty of his country over Ceuta and Melilla. Then, after the event, Pablo Casado tried to gain electoral advantage instead of supporting his Government and his country. This is not a sense of State, but a deplorable attitude for being irresponsible.
The European Union has taken its time, but has supported the Government of Spain in the face of Morocco's provocations in Ceuta, while, incomprehensibly, the Popular Party continues to criticize the same Spanish Government for its response to the crisis created by our neighbors. However, I do not think we live in the land of paradoxes, but in a land where some act in an imprudent and disloyal way.
The position of the European Parliament has been forceful in closing ranks with Spain and condemning without ambiguity the use of minors as a measure of political pressure by Morocco. The European Popular Party has voted together with the European social democrats in the European Parliament, a circumstance that is also not paradoxical, but highlights that Pablo Casado's party knows no limits when it comes to eroding and trying to destabilize the Government of Spain, aligning itself even against the interests of our country.
The resolution adopted by the European Parliament is not binding, agreed, but it sends a profound political message to Rabat. Firstly, it underlines that the Spanish borders are European borders, making it clear that the use of minors as a blackmail mechanism is unacceptable. And, secondly, it reiterates that the European position on Western Sahara has not changed, although Morocco is a preferred ally.
Despite Pablo Casado's dialectical skirmishes, the European Union does not recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, and defends dialogue hand in hand with the resolutions of the UN Security Council. However, we parties know that the future lies in Europe increasing its cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco, with which we share many common interests.
This Sunday, Pablo Casado will try to appear in the new Colón photo, with the ultra-right. The following day, Monday, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, will hold a meeting in Brussels with the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez. With 24 hours of difference, the reality of our country will be portrayed and words will be superfluous.
Fco. Manuel Fajardo Palarea, senator of the PSOE for Lanzarote and La Graciosa.