10:00 - 1.08.2026

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August 1, Fineko/abc.az. The European Union has declared that no secondary movements of undocumented migrants from the North African enclave of Ceuta to mainland Europe or other member states have occurred, ruling out any suspension of the Schengen agreement for Spain.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, a senior EU official addressed demands from several member states advocating for border closures against Spain:

Key Takeaways:

• Special Border Regime: Ceuta and Melilla are governed by specific provisions under Article 41 of the Schengen Borders Code. Anyone traveling from Ceuta to mainland Spain or another EU state is already subject to mandatory border checks.

• No Legal Grounds for Suspension: Any decision to restrict Schengen access rests with the European Council following formal reports of severe deficiencies. Current conditions do not justify initiating such a process.

• Cooperation with Morocco: Morocco is listed by the EU as a safe country of origin, allowing streamlined processing and prompt return of individuals who do not qualify for international protection.

• Frontex Deployment: Around 30 Frontex personnel are currently deployed in the area. Spanish authorities have not yet requested additional assistance, though the EU remains ready to scale up support if needed.