The European Commission has backed Morocco as Spain’s border policy faces renewed scrutiny after migrants entered Ceuta en masse. The Commission’s decision not to blame Rabat comes as the European Parliament prepares to vote on a resolution condemning the use of migration as a political tool.
The basic point of contention is the Commission’s backing for Morocco’s promise to take back everyone who entered Ceuta illegally, including unaccompanied minors and third-country nationals. Interior Commissioner Magnus Brunner made clear that Brussels wants to keep working with Rabat, even as many MEPs accuse Morocco of using the crisis for political use. Euronews cited data showing that, at Madrid’s request, the Commission approved €114.7 million in emergency aid for Spain. The money will go to border controls, reception and migration management in Ceuta.
EPRS/Think Tank reports that approximately 80,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30, 2026, in one of the largest mass border crossings in recent EU history.
Brunner noted that illegal border crossings into the EU have dropped by half over the past two years, but said the Ceuta incident calls for stricter measures. The Commission plans to step up its migration diplomacy, offering economic and trade incentives to partner countries while increasing Frontex surveillance, monitoring social media and targeting human trafficking networks. EPRS says Spain officially asked Frontex, Europol and EUAA for help on August 28, 2026, to manage the situation in Ceuta.
The European Parliament remains divided despite the Commission’s stance. All groups except the Spanish Socialists have agreed to negotiate the resolution’s text, but each will submit its own version. A single consensus is unlikely unless some factions back rival proposals or abstain. The draft resolution, seen by La Voz, condemns the use of migration as use and criticizes Morocco’s statements on Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla as incompatible with the obligations of a partner country. EPRS notes that the Commission has not activated the Digital Services Act "crisis" mechanism in response to online rumors about Ceuta because no EU member state has formally requested it.
Morocco, meanwhile, has sent a mass email to MEPs blaming the Ceuta events on disinformation campaigns, echoing the Spanish government’s position. Rabat says it will accept all returnees from the city, citing the "nature, scale and complexity" of the border breach to justify its response. Al Jazeera reports that Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies any role in organizing the mass crossing and says there is no evidence of its involvement.
Euronews reports that EU member states have no unified approach to Morocco. Some advocate tougher migration policies and increased pressure on Rabat, while others focus on expanding financial support. The European Commission has already allocated €222 million to Morocco for migration management between 2021 and 2024, with another €190 million planned by the end of 2027.
Brussels is putting growing pressure on Spain to speed up the identification and return of migrants in Ceuta and implement the new European Pact on Asylum and Migration. The Commission’s approach is to reward cooperation with financial and commercial incentives while tightening border controls and surveillance.
Migration has been used as a bargaining chip in Spain-Morocco relations before. As reported earlier, migration control remains Rabat’s most effective tool for influencing Spanish and European policy, often overshadowing other diplomatic disputes.
The Commission’s willingness to overlook Morocco’s previous use of migration as use highlights the EU’s reliance on outside partners to manage its borders. Brussels presents its stance as pragmatic, while Spain and the EU must balance security concerns with the need to maintain fragile alliances. Divisions in the European Parliament show how migration remains contentious, with consequences for border cities such as Ceuta and Melilla and for the credibility of EU migration policy.
