ZARZALEJOS CALLS FOR A FIRM EU RESPONSE TO THE MIGRATION CRISIS IN CEUTA AND DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MOROCCO

Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), spoke on 21 October at a meeting of the Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries, focusing on migration cooperation and the situation in Ceuta. In his remarks, he denounced the seriousness of the mass irregular entries recorded at the end of July, when, according to the figures presented, some 80,000 people crossed the border irregularly and 141 lost their lives. He also questioned Morocco’s role in these events and demanded that Rabat fulfil the obligations arising from its status as a strategic partner of the European Union.

Zarzalejos defended Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla and stressed their importance as the EU’s external borders. Although he welcomed the support expressed by the European Council, he called for it to be translated into concrete security and protection measures. He also urged more effective cooperation on readmission and returns, in full compliance with European and international law.

Finally, he criticised the Spanish Government’s response, particularly the delay in requesting assistance from EU agencies and its vote against the European Returns Regulation. The MEP concluded by calling for greater involvement by EU institutions to guarantee the security and rights of the people of Ceuta and Melilla on equal terms with the rest of the Union.