European Parliament Backs Ceuta and Condemns Migrant Instrumentalization as Hybrid Warfare
The European Parliament has approved a resolution supporting Ceuta and Melilla after July's migration crisis, condemning the instrumentalization of irregular migration as hybrid warfare and calling for coordinated border reinforcement.
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution expressing solidarity with the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla following the migration crisis at the end of July, condemning the mass irregular crossings and describing the instrumentalization of migration as a form of hybrid warfare against a member state's territorial integrity.
The resolution passed with 339 votes in favor, 225 against, and 16 abstentions. It calls for a coordinated European response to strengthen the Union's external borders and expresses support for Ceuta and Melilla. The text also laments the deaths recorded at sea during the events of July 30 and 31.
One of the most contentious points lies in the resolution's own description of what occurred. Point D of the proposal states that Ceuta, with a resident population of approximately 84,500, «has been invaded.» The wording has sparked political debate, particularly regarding the role of Morocco.
The resolution calls for cooperation with Morocco and the return of those who have no right to remain in EU territory. However, political differences emerged over assigning responsibility. The center-right European People's Party supported the resolution, while the Socialists and Democrats voted against it. Disagreements over Morocco dominated much of the debate: the Socialists declined to directly blame the neighboring country, while the right-wing Vox party advocated a more restrictive stance.
The Ceuta crisis has also reopened the European discussion on how to respond to episodes of migration instrumentalization. The European Commission is proposing extraordinary mechanisms to accelerate returns in emergency situations. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen specified that this instrument «will only be activated according to a set of strictly defined criteria.»
Positions again diverge. The EPP supports such measures, Vox calls for broader restrictions, and the Socialists warn that suspending asylum requests would violate the Geneva Convention. From Spain, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has called on Brussels to maintain a permanent Frontex presence in Ceuta. «It is the most unequal border on the planet,» he said.
The debate reflects broader tensions within the EU over migration policy, border security, and relations with Morocco. The resolution's passage underscores the Parliament's support for Spain's territorial integrity while highlighting deep political divisions over how to address the root causes and consequences of irregular migration.
