The European Commission has approved €114.7 million in emergency aid to help Spain manage the migration crisis in Ceuta, describing the move as a strong act of “solidarity” with Madrid.
The funding, drawn from the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument, will support border control, reception facilities and the return of migrants who arrived irregularly in the Spanish enclave.
Brussels said the money would be used to reinforce surveillance and security infrastructure, including thermal cameras, monitoring systems, buoys and underwater drones. It will also help deploy additional staff, create screening facilities and strengthen care for unaccompanied, as reported by Euro News.
“This financial assistance comes on top of the Commission’s immediate response from day one,” the EU executive said, adding that the decision showed “full solidarity with Spain in dealing with this difficult situation.”
Alongside the funding, the Commission has coordinated support from several EU agencies. Frontex will maintain its joint operation Minerva and is ready to expand other operational plans in Spain next year. Europol will continue working with Spanish security forces on investigations into migrant-smuggling networks, while the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) will assist with interviews and interpretation.
A joint coordination group involving the Commission, EU agencies and Spanish authorities is set to hold its first meeting this week. Once the financing agreement is signed, the Commission will have 30 days to pay up to 80% of the amount. The funds may also cover eligible actions carried out since the emergency began in late July.
Ceuta, a small Spanish territory on the North African coast, has seen a sharp rise in arrivals in recent weeks, straining local resources and drawing attention from across the EU.
