فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya has stated regarding the April 2021 reception of Polisario leader Brahim Ghali in Spain – an event that triggered a serious diplomatic crisis with Morocco – that Spain merely hosted a “Spanish citizen” who needed treatment for COVID-19.
In an interview with “The Diplomat in Spain,” reported by Europa Press, the former minister summarized the situation by saying: “Spain hosted a Spanish citizen, Brahim Ghali, for COVID treatment. It’s as simple as that.” It’s worth noting that during his trial in this case, Ghali provided proof of his Spanish citizenship.
González Laya avoided answering questions about who authorized Ghali’s transfer from Algeria and his admission to a hospital in Logroño – whether it was her as then-Foreign Minister or the Moncloa Palace – considering the question “completely pointless.” She added: “We don’t need to ask this question when it concerns a Spanish citizen.”
Regarding whether Morocco was informed of this decision in a timely manner, the former minister responded that “all appropriate steps in a diplomatic relationship with a neighboring and friendly country were followed. However, I believe this should not prevent Spain from receiving a Spanish citizen for treatment in Spain.”
Concerning the management of the crisis with Morocco that arose from hosting Brahim Ghali in Spain, which led to her departure from the government in July 2021, González Laya affirmed that she has “nothing to reproach anyone for” in this matter and that she won’t “rewrite history,” stating that it was “a great honor” for her to serve as Foreign Minister for nearly two years.
