EU to increase aid to Morocco after migration crisis in Ceuta
The European Union intends to increase financial and technical support to Morocco in migration management after an unprecedented mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July. Brussels hopes to strengthen control on one of the key routes of illegal migration from Africa to the EU.
According to Euronews, citing sources, the additional support will become part of broader EU cooperation with Morocco. The funds are to be allocated, among other things, for border control, combating smugglers and human trafficking, technical equipment for services, and improving early warning systems for possible mass movements of people.
The final amount of additional funding has not yet been publicly announced.
Ceuta crisis forced EU to reconsider support for Morocco
The decision was prompted by the migration crisis of July 30-31. According to Spanish authorities, about 72,000 people entered Ceuta from Morocco in a short period of time—a Spanish city on the North African coast that is an external border of the European Union.
Most of those who arrived were subsequently returned to Morocco. Spain reported that about 70,000 people were sent back in the first days after the crisis. However, the mass crossing overloaded Ceuta's infrastructure and caused serious disputes within the EU over the protection of external borders.
After the events, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU needs to strengthen strategic sections of the external border. She also proposed expanding technical and financial assistance to Morocco in cooperation with Spain, primarily in the areas of Ceuta and Melilla.
One of the directions should be the creation of more effective early warning systems. During the July crisis, social media postings about an allegedly open border contributed to the mass movement of people toward Ceuta.
EU already allocates hundreds of millions of euros
Morocco is one of the EU's key partners on migration policy in North Africa. Brussels previously earmarked for the country an indicative support package for the migration area of up to €500 million for the period 2021-2027.
In particular, the EU launched a program worth €152 million to support border management, combat networks of illegal transportation of migrants, implement Morocco's national strategy in the field of migration and asylum, and voluntary return of migrants to countries of origin.
Moroccan authorities, however, claim that the country's own expenditures on managing migration flows amount to about €500 million annually. Rabat insists that controlling routes toward Spain cannot be solely Morocco's responsibility.
The EU is increasingly using agreements with North African countries to reduce illegal arrivals in Europe. Such cooperation involves financial assistance in exchange for strengthening border security, combating migrant smugglers, and receiving some people who are denied the right to remain in the EU.
Source references: Euronews, European Commission
