An ECR Group delegation visiting Ceuta has warned that the city remains far from returning to normal almost two months after the large-scale illegal border crossings of 30 and 31 July.

The delegation, comprising ECR MEPs Diego Solier (Spain), Stefano Cavedagna (Italy), Marion Maréchal (France), Nicolas Bay (France) and Sebastian Tynkkynen (Finland) travelled to Ceuta to assess the situation first-hand, meeting representatives of the Autonomous City of Ceuta and visiting areas affected by the consequences of the July border crossings, both by sea and on land.

During the institutional meeting, local authorities described the continuing pressure on Ceuta’s public services and the impact that the situation is having on the daily lives of its residents.

According to the local authorities, exceptional situations such as the mass illegal entries experienced this summer require exceptional and effective return measures. They also called for additional resources to relieve the pressure on public services and allow the city to return to normality as quickly as possible.

The authorities stressed that the consequences are being felt across Ceuta’s population, affecting families, children and elderly residents and their ability to carry on with their normal daily lives.

Following the visit, the ECR delegation expressed concern about the situation it observed and questioned whether the measures announced so far are sufficient to restore normality.

The delegation highlighted the continued visible presence throughout the city of people who entered illegally and raised concerns about the authorities’ capacity to establish their identity and legal status and to maintain an accurate picture of how many people remain in Ceuta.

The delegation considers that restoring effective control, completing the identification and registration procedures required by law, accelerating lawful returns and providing adequate resources to Ceuta should now be priorities.

The European Commission has repeatedly stated that the priority is the return of those who remain illegally in Ceuta. It has also confirmed that it is working with the Spanish and Moroccan authorities to support those returns.

Diego Solier, Head of the Spanish Delegation of the ECR Group, said:

“The European Commission has made clear that the priority is to return those who remain illegally in Ceuta. Morocco has stated that it is ready to take back those who entered illegally. So the question for Pedro Sánchez’s Government is very simple: why are the returns not taking place faster? What is preventing the Spanish Government from acting?

“What we have seen today is a city that wants its normal life back. This cannot become Ceuta’s new normal. European assistance is available, cooperation with Morocco is available and the legal instruments are available. What is needed now is effective implementation.”

On 9 September, the European Commission announced €114.7 million in emergency assistance for Spain following the events in Ceuta, including funding for border surveillance, additional personnel and equipment, reception capacity and measures supporting the return of people remaining illegally in the city.

Stefano Cavedagna said:

“According to reports from citizens and law enforcement, there are currently more than 20,000 illegal immigrants in Ceuta. The government, however, claims there are fewer than 3,000. Morocco has reportedly opened its borders to those who wish to return, but it appears that the Spanish government is doing nothing. Thanks to the work of the ECR, the Parliament has condemned the immigrationist policies of Sánchez and the left. Commitment from European institutions is necessary to free Ceuta from this invasion. Let’s defend Europe’s borders.”

Marion Maréchal said:

“Physically securing our borders, deporting all illegal immigrants, turning back illegitimate asylum seekers and imposing sanctions on foreign countries that use mass migration as a hybrid threat to destabilise us: this is how we can take action.

We came to say this to those who try to violate our borders and our laws, whether in Calais, Lampedusa or Ceuta: this is Europe, this is our home, and you are not welcome here.”

Nicolas Bay said:

“We are here to express our support and solidarity with the local Spanish population, who are bearing the brunt of the migrant influx and the accompanying surge in delinquency, crime and chaos. Whilst many European countries are now defending their borders, Macron in France and Sánchez in Spain are Europe’s weak links.”

Sebastian Tynkkynen said:

“It was terrible to experience the situation in Ceuta first hand. It was much worse than I could have imagined. Illegal immigrants wandered freely all around the city and had taken over the beaches. Pedro Sánchez’s Spain is not a rule-of-law state if it allows lawlessness to run rampant like this.”

The ECR fact-finding delegation visited Ceuta on 24 September following the large-scale illegal entries of 30 and 31 July.

The programme included a maritime visit to areas affected by the illegal border crossings, visits by land to different parts of the city and border area, and an institutional meeting with representatives of the Government of the Autonomous City of Ceuta.

The European Commission has acknowledged the continuing challenges facing Ceuta and has mobilised financial and operational assistance, including support from Frontex, Europol and the European Union Agency for Asylum.