Ceuta: EU offers 114.7 million to Spain in emergency aid

ANDthe European Commission notes that the EUR 114,7 million announced today will serve to “strengthen border surveillance”, namely through thermal cameras and submarine drones, but also to mobilise more human resources.

“ They will also serve to create facilities for the control and screening of migrants, as well as to support the return of people who remain illegally in Ceuta,” says the executive, who adds that the objective is also to help improve the “acceptance of Ceuta, including in the case of unaccompanied minors”.

In addition to these funds, the European Commission also indicates that after Spain has requested on 28 August more support from EU agencies, Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) is available to extend to 2027 “all existing operational plans” in the country.

“Frontex’s additional support could include the mobilisation of maritime resources, the strengthening of the exchange of information within the Eurosur framework, the support for return and cooperation with Morocco,” the European Commission said.

On the other hand, Europol has also confirmed that “it will maintain existing cooperation with the Spanish police authorities, particularly with regard to investigations into illegal immigration networks”.

Cited in the statement, the Vice-President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen considers that, with the funds announced today, the European Union (EU) shows that it is “next to Spain”.

“ Our message is clear: we are committed to the fight against illegal immigration and the rapid return of all those who remain in an irregular situation in Ceuta,” he says.

On the other hand, the European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, considers that the Ceuta crisis was a “test to European resilience and the security of its borders” and states that, from day one, the Commission has shown that it was on the side of Spain.

“ Today, we announce more concrete support for dealing with pressing needs on the ground. Our priority remains clear: people who do not have the right to remain [in Ceuta] must be returned”, he argues.

The European Commission notes that the funds made available today were requested by Spain on 24 August, and the executive dealt with this request with “maximum priority”.

On 30 and 31 July, about 72,000 people from Morocco illegally entered the Spanish enclave.

More than 90% of the people who illegally entered the Spanish enclave in North Africa, bordering Morocco, left Ceuta on time and in the immediate days, but at least 5,000 remain in the city, including thousands on the streets.

Ceuta, a small territory located in the north end of Morocco and bathed by the Strait of Gibraltar, is one of the two land borders between Africa and Europe, along with another Spanish enclave, the city of Melilla.