Spain's Government Responds to Migration Concerns
The Spanish authorities are closely monitoring the recent surge of calls circulating on social media, which urge a collective attempt by undocumented migrants to cross into the city of Ceuta. This planned action coincides with the Moroccan citizens' participation in parliamentary elections scheduled for Wednesday. However, officials express confidence that these calls will not garner any significant response from the public.
José Manuel Albares, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Cooperation in Pedro Sánchez's government, confirmed that several preventive measures have been enacted. The Spanish government is maintaining continuous communication with Moroccan authorities to deter any new attempts to cross into Ceuta, especially in light of the social media posts advocating for such actions on September 23. Albares stated that these online appeals have not resonated with the local population, contrasting with a previous incident on July 30, which was marked by widespread misinformation derived from a Supreme Court decision that prohibited the immediate return of migrants who entered the territory by swimming.
In his remarks to the media, Albares highlighted the proactive stance taken by the ministry to combat misinformation, emphasizing that the consulates and the embassy in Rabat are providing accurate information. This information clarifies that illegal entry into Ceuta and Melilla does not confer any rights and does not guarantee an indefinite stay in Spain or Europe.
The Spanish government official further urged individuals contemplating illegal entry into Ceuta and Melilla to reconsider their decisions, warning them against risking their finances and futures by falling prey to human trafficking networks. He reassured that the Spanish consulates and embassy in Rabat are actively communicating with Moroccan media to disseminate accurate information regarding entry restrictions into Ceuta and Melilla.
Albares stressed the ongoing collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the matter of repatriating migrants as their cases are processed. He reiterated that efforts are being made with Morocco to implement all necessary precautionary measures to achieve outcomes similar to those witnessed on August 15, when a previous attempt to storm Ceuta was thwarted, thanks to a targeted campaign against misinformation and the bolstering of border security forces.
In a related note, the European Commission has indicated its commitment to providing financial and logistical support to Spain for border protection and ensuring return operations. This assistance comes in response to the increasing illegal migration incidents involving foreign nationals from Morocco attempting to reach Ceuta. The Commission acknowledged Morocco as an important partner in managing migration and border control.
Furthermore, the European Commission clarified during parliamentary discussions regarding financial support to Rabat that this funding aims to enhance border management capabilities and combat human smuggling effectively. The cooperation with Morocco has yielded tangible results, evidenced by a significant reduction in illegal crossings. Ongoing discussions are taking place with Moroccan authorities to further develop cooperation in migration management, particularly concerning repatriation and readmission, within the framework of negotiations aimed at establishing a comprehensive and strategic partnership in this regard.
As reported by hespress.com.
