Sánchez highlights the value of the agreement between Spain and Morocco in Melilla, which opens up a horizon of strengthened cooperation between the two countries

In this respect, he recalled that since 18 May 2021 "we have been suffering a crisis that could not be sustained any longer with a partner that is strategic for Spain for its security, its stability and its economic and trade relations".

The Chief Executive thanked the president of Melilla, Eduardo de Castro, for his institutional cooperation with the Spanish government, having jointly overcome border incidents and the worsening situation with the emergence of the pandemic and the subsequent border closure.

"Melilla is a matter of State", defended Pedro Sánchez, who highlighted the Spanish Government's commitment to development, prosperity and improving the well-being of the people of Melilla. In this regard, he reviewed the important investments made by the Government in Melilla: 25 million from the COVID Fund in 2020, €22 million from the 2021 complementary funds, €60 million included in the 2022 State Budget and €43 million to subsidise air and maritime transport.

The President of the Government visited the new University Hospital, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, an example of the Spanish Government's commitment to Melilla, with a budget of almost 80 million euros for its construction and more than 16 million euros for its equipment, financed with funds from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

Non official translation