Spain in the North of Africa. The case of the Chafarinas Islands

Abstract

The different Spanish territories in the North of Africa, persistently claimed by Morocco, have specific characteristics revealing their high vulnerability, as the last crisis of illegal migration in the summer of 2012 has demonstrated. Except Ceuta and Melilla, expressly mentioned in the Spanish Constitution, the titles and legal nature of these territories need to be reasserted case by case. Reduced Spanish legislation clearly specifies the express application over these territories. In the case of the Chafarinas Islands, the application of environmental European Law in a protected area provides a unique and valuable opportunity of international cooperation with Moroccowhich could be expanded in relation to the coordination of the control of migration flows.