EU commissioner urges migrant returns to Morocco as Parliament debates Ceuta crisis

European migration commissioner Magnus Brunner called Tuesday for an urgent resolution to the Ceuta migration crisis, urging returns to Morocco as European Parliament groups clashed over Spain’s response, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

The September 15 debate followed mass crossings into the Spanish-administered city on July 30 and 31. Lawmakers were considering a nonbinding resolution, with its final wording still under negotiation between political groups.

Brunner said migrants who entered illegally should be returned to Morocco, EFE reported. The European Commission also expressed readiness to strengthen the presence of the EU border agency Frontex.

Spain’s opposition People’s Party and the far right criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s handling of the crisis, while Socialist lawmakers accused the conservatives of exploiting it for partisan purposes, broadcaster Cadena SER reported.

The debate was held under an agenda item describing recent events as hybrid attacks and the instrumentalization of migrants, and calling for a coordinated response to protect EU borders.

The Commission announced €114.7 million in emergency assistance for Spain on September 9 to support reception facilities, migration management and border operations.

Spain separately announced a €309 million package covering Ceuta’s economy, security, humanitarian assistance and essential services. Cadena SER put the combined announced support at €423.7 million.

Sánchez said Monday he hoped to resolve the crisis before the end of the year. Speaking to La Sexta, he described it as a humanitarian emergency requiring a response grounded in the rule of law.

He said people without entitlement to international protection were being returned, principally to Morocco, which he identified as the country of origin for many arrivals.

Sánchez also defended continued cooperation with Rabat, arguing that managing the migration emergency should not trigger a broader bilateral crisis. The People’s Party has meanwhile pressed for greater involvement by European institutions in addressing the situation.

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