Foreign policy (1959-1975)

Due to the Cold War the regime of Franco was internationally accepted. There were negotiations to join the European Economic Community in 1962. However, it was not possible since it was not a democratic regime.I n 1970 Spain reached a commercial agreement that granted a reduction in customs duties for trade with the EEC members.

 During this period Spain lost its last colonies:

• Spanish Morocco was given back to Morocco in 1956 after the independence of the French protectorate.
• Due to historical reasons Spain kept Ceuta, Melilla, the Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, the Peñón de Alhucemas, the Chafarinas Islands, as well as the Islet of Perejil.
• Cape Juby (next to the Spanish Sahara) was given back to Morocco in 1958.
• Ifni was eventually given back to Morocco in 1963 after a war.
• Equatorial Guinea (Fernando Po, Annobon, and Río Muni) was granted autonomy in 1967 and it gained its independence in 1968.
• Spanish Sahara was occupied by Morocco during the Green March in October 1975.
  • • The Green March was organised by Hassan II, who sent 350,000 civilians and 25,000 soldiers to occupy the Spanish Sahara. Morocco tried to avoid the UN’s resolution of self-determination for Western Sahara. As a consequence, in the Agreements of Madrid Spain divided the territory between Morocco and Mauritania to avoid a war. However, the latter relinquished its part in 1979. The Saharan conflict is still unfinished.