The European Commission has backed the return of migrants, including unaccompanied minors, from Ceuta to Morocco, stressing that returns are covered by EU law.
“The priority is now for the Spanish and for the Moroccan authorities to maintain control of the situation and to ensure a swift return of all those who illegally remain in Ceuta,” European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said on Thursday during a press briefing.
Lammert stressed that returns are covered by EU law and are regulated by the EU Return Directive and, soon, the EU Return Regulation, agreed in June.
He explained that EU law also includes provisions for the return of migrants illegally staying in EU territory, including unaccompanied minors.
The EU’s position comes as Rabat and Madrid continue talks over unaccompanied minors, with Morocco stepping up calls for the swift return of Moroccan children in Ceuta so they can be reunited with their families.
Spanish National Police said around 2,168 migrant minors have been identified in Ceuta since July 30 and handed over to the city’s regional government, marking an increase of 270 from the figure released five days earlier by Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
The influx has exceeded Ceuta’s standard reception capacity of just 29 minors, prompting the city to open additional facilities, including two schools.
The European Commission spokesperson emphasized that the European Commission was focusing on prevention and deterrence, working with online platforms and fact-checkers “to counter criminal networks spreading disinformation and to strengthen the fight against migrant smuggling.”
He added that several accounts linked to smuggling have already been closed.
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