Spanish Enclaves Seek EU Support to Counter Moroccan Pressure

Vivas and De Castro recalled the migration crisis of May 2021 in Ceuta, caused by the massive influx of migrants into the autonomous city. "We would not have come out of the May episode without Spain and Europe," Vivas told Europa Press, on the sidelines of the presentation of the report on Ceuta and Melilla by the Ciudadanos European deputy, and very critical of Morocco, Jordi Cañas, before the European Parliament.

The report proposes the effective integration of Ceuta and Melilla into the Schengen area, the EU customs union (TAU) and a new status for the two cities, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of these choices to achieve greater integration. "The main risk" for the future of Ceuta and Melilla is the "strategy" developed by Rabat, which claims its sovereignty over the two cities and consists in maintaining migratory pressure and an economic blockade on them, the report points out.

To read: Spain Considers Frontex Deployment to Secure Ceuta and Melilla Borders

"We must put Ceuta and Melilla on the map of Europe because they are part of it..." said Cañas, specifying that the report aims to open "a broad debate on the future" of Ceuta and Melilla, after the "painful" event of May 2021. "Ceuta and Melilla are European territory and their sovereignty is not in question," explained the MEP.

The border of Ceuta must be considered "as it stands as an external border of the EU," Vivas said, calling for the establishment of a commercial customs with Morocco. The presidents of Ceuta and Melilla also expressed their intention to maintain good neighborly relations with Morocco. "Essential" relations, but "complementary," according to De Castro.