Ceuta crisis ends as nearly all migrants return to Morocco, Spain says
Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Spain's Foreign Minister announced that nearly all migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have returned to Morocco, effectively ending a crisis.
- The minister emphasized that the Schengen area's integrity was maintained, with no migrants reaching mainland Spain without identification.
- The situation prompted concern among EU member states, with Italy temporarily suspending the Schengen agreement with Spain.
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares declared the crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta over, announcing that nearly all migrants who entered the territory have returned to Morocco. The influx had seen approximately 50,000 people arrive.
Almost all those who had arrived in Ceuta have returned to Morocco in the meantime.
Albares stressed that the integrity of the Schengen area remained intact, assuring that no migrant reached mainland Spain without being identified. His statements followed concerns raised by several European Union member states regarding the management of the situation. Italy had previously announced a temporary suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain, citing migration pressures.
While not directly naming Italy, Albares criticized what he termed "confusion driven by interests" surrounding the crisis. European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner confirmed with the Spanish minister that "practically all those who entered Ceuta have returned" and that "no one crossed into the continental part of the European Union." The situation will undergo further European-level analysis, with experts meeting to discuss recent developments and ambassadors convening to assess measures and coordination.
The integrity of the Schengen space has been maintained and no migrant was able to reach mainland Spain without being identified.
The Ceuta crisis erupted when tens of thousands of migrants attempted to enter the Spanish enclave on the north African coast, a primary gateway to the European Union.
practically all those who entered Ceuta have returned and that no person crossed into the continental part of the European Union.
Originally published by Adevฤrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.