The European Parliament on Tuesday debated the migration crisis in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta and is expected to vote on a resolution on the situation on Thursday.
At the session in Strasbourg, France, members of the European Parliament and European Union (EU) representatives discussed the humanitarian and security situation after a large influx of migrants into Ceuta in late July, as well as possible coordinated responses at the EU level.
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said ensuring the rapid return of all those illegally staying in Ceuta remains the EU's top priority.
He stressed at the session that the EU needs to learn lessons from the situation, close existing gaps, strengthen external border controls, and maintain the normal functioning of the Schengen area.
In late July, a large number of irregular migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco, triggering Spain's most serious border migration crisis in recent years. The local government declared a state of emergency and requested military support from the Spanish central government.
According to Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas on Setp 11, about 13,000 irregular migrants still remained in Ceuta, including many unaccompanied minors. He accused Morocco of using the border migration crisis to threaten Ceuta's territorial integrity and demanded a "tough response" from the EU.
European Parliament debates Ceuta migration crisis
