A delegation of five MEPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group will travel to Ceuta on Thursday, 24 September, to assess the situation on the ground following the recent migration crisis and reaffirm their support for the Spanish autonomous city and its people.

The delegation will include MEPs Diego Solier (Spain), Stefano Cavedagna (Italy), Sebastian Tynkkynen (Finland), Marion Maréchal (France) and Nicolas Bay (France).

During their visit, the Conservative lawmakers will examine the situation along Ceuta’s land and maritime borders and visit areas affected by the recent migration pressure. They will also meet Kissy Chandiramani, Second Vice-President of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, to discuss the challenges facing the city and the support needed from national and European authorities.

Diego Solier MEP said:

“We have already brought the crisis in Ceuta to the attention of the European Parliament. Now we want to follow up on that work on the ground and ensure that the concerns of the people of Ceuta are heard in Brussels. The Spanish Government must take responsibility for the consequences of its migration policies, and the European Union must provide concrete support to strengthen its external borders and ensure that those who have no right to remain are returned in accordance with the law.”

Stefano Cavedagna MEP said:

“What happens in Ceuta affects the whole of Europe. Italy knows the pressure that illegal migration places on frontline communities. Europe must provide practical support, strengthen its external borders and encourage neighbouring countries to play their part in preventing illegal migration. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was right to temporarily reintroduce border controls with Spain in response to the crisis in Ceuta. When the protection of Europe’s external borders is called into question, Member States must be able to take precautionary measures to safeguard their own national security.”

Sebastian Tynkkynen MEP said:

“As a political group, ECR supports the people of Ceuta from north to south in the midst of this crisis. In Finland we had to close the entire eastern border when Russia directed instrumentalized immigration from third countries toward Finland. The same was experienced in Poland. And now a hybrid operation happened in Ceuta. The EU must finally take the challenge of illegal immigration seriously, protect all of its external borders, and for those who have entered illegally there can be only one solution: Send them back.”

Marion Maréchal MEP said:

“The consequences of Spain’s migration policies do not stop at its borders. What happens in Ceuta can have repercussions for France and the rest of Europe. We are going there to assess the situation first-hand and ensure that the lessons of this crisis are not ignored.”

Nicolas Bay MEP said:

“Europe cannot allow its external borders to become a bargaining chip in relations with neighbouring countries. Our visit to Ceuta must help us draw the right lessons from this crisis and ensure that Europe’s borders are protected against future attempts to exploit migration for political purpose.”

The fact-finding mission follows the European Parliament’s adoption of a resolution on 17 September calling for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders, increased support for Ceuta and Melilla, and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the recent mass illegal crossings. The resolution also acknowledged the risks associated with large-scale regularisation policies and their potential to encourage further illegal migration.