The European Parliament will hold a debate next Tuesday on the migration crisis in Spanish enclave of Ceuta, amid divisions among major political groups over how to respond to the situation, the Parliament noted on Wednesday.
Some parties in the European Parliament, such as the European People's Party, are pushing for a vote following the debate, with a resolution expected to include calls for stricter migration policies and criticism of the Spanish government's handling of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Europe is expected to defend the Spanish government and call for greater solidarity among EU member states in addressing migration pressures.
The European Commission on Wednesday decided to provide Spain with 114.7 million euros in emergency assistance to help manage the situation in Ceuta, following the large-scale illegal border crossings on July 30-31.
The European Union held a video-conference in August upon a 22-country initiative led by Italy and Denmark for a coordinated European response to the migrant crisis.
Italy temporarily suspend the Schengen free-movement regime for maritime and air links with Spain and reintroduce border checks on Aug. 1, and announced on Aug. 31 to extend border controls on arrivals from Spain for a further 15 days.
Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas told an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in August that about 80,000 people entered Ceuta, nearly 75,000 of whom subsequently returned voluntarily.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, leaving reception centers overwhelmed and creating a severe humanitarian emergency, he said, calling for stronger security, more reception resources and greater support from EU agencies.
European Parliament to debate Ceuta migration crisis
European Parliament to debate Ceuta migration crisis
Thai exporters are leveraging this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) to seek new opportunities in China as innovation and shifting consumer demand reshape how Thailand's traditional agricultural products are grown, produced and brought to market.
For generations, families in Thailand have made a living from coconut palms, harvesting the fruit by hand and shipping it far beyond the orchards where it is grown.
Natthasak Manusrungsri's family has been exporting aromatic coconuts for more than two decades. But growing demand from China has transformed the scale of their business, driving production, expanding exports and inspiring new ways to bring this familiar fruit to consumers.
"Almost every factory that packs fresh coconuts depends on China as its main market, almost entirely. After Thailand received permission to export coconuts to China, volumes kept rising, driven by trends and by customers becoming more knowledgeable and health-conscious," said Natthasak Manusrungsri, managing director of K-Fresh Co.
But as demand grows, so does the pressure to innovate. Generations of agricultural knowledge are meeting a new generation of ideas.
For Thai producers, China offers enormous opportunities, but competition is intensifying. As consumer preferences change, exporters are shifting their focus beyond simply increasing sales to developing innovative products that offer greater convenience and bring more value to an increasingly competitive industry.
That transformation begins long before the coconuts leave the trees. Across a network of plantations, precision agriculture is helping farmers monitor growing conditions, identify problem areas, and improve yields, while maintaining the quality of Thailand's renowned coconuts.
Inside the factory, innovation takes a different form. Even the simple act of opening a coconut has been redesigned. A patented mechanism allows consumers to open it with a push.
"Innovation matters for both the farm and production, so we can deliver the highest quality to our customers. So, we practice precision agriculture. And in the factory, we focus on innovation to make it easier for consumers to open and enjoy, bringing quality products to consumers around the world and in China," said Manusrungsri.
For the farmers who tend these palms, the rhythm of life remains much as it has for generations. But beyond the orchards, almost everything else is changing.
And at CIIE 2026, Thailand's humble coconut is showing how an age-old harvest can find new value in a world of changing tastes and possibilities.
Thai coconut exporter taps CIIE to promote industry innovation
