A delegation from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will visit Melilla for the first time at the end of September, marking a milestone in the relationship between this Spanish city and the defense organization. Although Melilla is outside NATO's defensive umbrella, its security is a priority for Spain. The parliamentarians, who represent 17 allied countries, will begin their visit in Madrid, where they will meet with high-ranking government officials and security experts. Next, they will be transferred to Melilla to assess firsthand the security facilities and meet with local authorities, including the President of the Autonomous City of Melilla and the Government Delegate.
The initiative has been driven by the PP senator, Fernando Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu, and has the backing of the Spanish Congress and Senate. The focus of the visit includes the analysis of migratory flows, defense, and the fight against terrorism, emphasizing Hispano-OTAN collaboration. Despite the historical exclusion of Ceuta and Melilla from the Washington Treaty due to past geopolitical circumstances, NATO's recent Strategic Concept emphasizes the defense of the Allies' sovereignty, highlighting the importance of these cities to the Alliance. The Spanish authorities say that the visit will not affect relations with Morocco, which historically has claimed sovereignty over the cities.
Read the full news article on The Country.
