King Felipe VI has reaffirmed Spain’s sovereignty over Melilla, declaring that any threat to its border is also a threat to the European Union.

‘Melilla is Spain and Melilla is Europe,’ he said during a speech concluding his historic visit to Spain’s two autonomous cities in North Africa.

‘Any threat to the border of a member state is therefore a threat to the European Union as a whole.’

The king also called for relations with neighbouring Morocco to be based on trust and good faith, urging a commitment to cooperation and good neighbourliness.

His remarks followed a visit to Ceuta, which has been grappling with the aftermath of a migration crisis in late July.

According to Cadena SER, more than 70,000 people entered the city over two days.

Felipe urged Spain’s institutions to work together, saying political disagreements should go hand in hand with efforts to reach an understanding and maintain stability.

He and Queen Letizia received an enthusiastic welcome in Melilla, where crowds applauded and chanted ‘I am Spanish’ and ‘Long live Spain’.

The royal couple spent more than half an hour greeting residents, posing for photographs and accepting gifts in Plaza de España.

Melilla’s president, Juan Jose Imbroda, presented Felipe with the city’s golden keys and thanked him for his support for both autonomous cities.

Imbroda called for a stronger response to the events in Ceuta, arguing that an exceptional situation required exceptional measures.

Morocco claims sovereignty over both Ceuta and Melilla.

A visit by Felipe’s parents in 2007 triggered a diplomatic dispute with Rabat, although Cadena SER reported no Moroccan government response to the latest trip at the time of publication.

The royal itinerary also included a visit to Melilla’s Pintor Eduardo Morillas school, where Felipe and Letizia met pupils and staff, including those involved in a project supporting children with autism.