EC assures that migrants who entered Ceuta will not get to Europe

Migrants who illegally entered the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco won't be able to travel freely to mainland Spain or other European countries.

This was reported by Euronews citing unnamed European Commission representatives.

The publication's sources explained that special Schengen zone rules apply to Ceuta. Before departing from the exclave to mainland Spain or another Schengen country, passengers undergo identity and document checks.

Thus, entering Ceuta does not automatically give migrants the right to move further across Europe. The European Commission confirmed the existence of these special checks: they are conducted when leaving Ceuta and Melilla for mainland Spain and other Schengen countries.

Migrants remaining in the exclave must register and undergo a check. Those who request international protection can benefit from the legally prescribed procedure, but those without the right to stay are subject to return.

According to current EU rules, migrants who illegally cross the external border undergo screening and their data is entered into the common European Eurodac database. Applications of persons unlikely to receive asylum may be processed directly in the border area.

The migration crisis began after around 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in a single day. A significant portion of those arriving later voluntarily returned to Morocco. During the mass border crossing and attempts to reach the exclave by sea, dozens died.

The European Commission condemned the mass border breach and called for stepping up the fight against smuggling networks that spread disinformation among migrants. Brussels also stressed the need to follow established procedures for returning individuals with no grounds to remain on EU territory.

Ceuta is situated on the northern coast of Africa and borders Morocco. Along with Melilla, it is part of Spain and one of the external land boundaries of the Schengen zone.