Ceuta leader secures no EU pledge to act against Morocco

Ceuta President Juan Vivas returned from Brussels without a commitment from European institutions to take action against Morocco over the mass crossings of July 30 and 31, although the European Commission has approved emergency support for Spain.

Speaking Friday, September 11, the People’s Party politician said European officials had listened sympathetically to his account and that he expected a response. He did not identify any promised sanctions or other punitive measures against Rabat, according to Europa Press.

In its September 8 account of the visit, Ceuta’s government said Vivas sought stronger border protection, faster returns and permanent deployments of Frontex and the EU Agency for Asylum.

He also requested financial support for unaccompanied children, saying approximately 1,800 were in the city’s care. Vivas acknowledged during the visit that no definitive count existed of either the total arrivals or those remaining.

The EU’s announced response has focused on assistance to Spain. On September 9, the Commission approved €114.7 million in emergency funding, following a Spanish request submitted August 24.

The package includes €82.7 million from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and €32 million from the Border Management and Visa Instrument. It covers border surveillance, staff, equipment, migrant screening, returns and reception facilities, including accommodation for unaccompanied children. Frontex, Europol and the EU asylum agency also agreed to provide operational support, according to the European Migration Network’s Belgian contact point.

Morocco rejected accusations of involvement in a September 10 Foreign Ministry statement. It said no evidence established responsibility by Moroccan authorities and argued that the events required a thorough examination.

The ministry also said Rabat had committed to readmitting migrants and had requested the return of unaccompanied minors to their families. These were Morocco’s stated positions on cooperation, alongside its rejection of blame.

Rabat linked the dispute to the broader relationship rebuilt through the April 2022 bilateral declaration, emphasizing mutual trust, dialogue and security cooperation. It accused Spanish political actors of using Morocco in domestic disputes and rejected becoming an electoral scapegoat.