Rabat – French President Emmanuel Macron has recalled the importance of migration cooperation with Morocco during his visit to Spain, where he discussed the Ceuta mass crossing of July.
Macron met with Sanchez on September 30 to discuss different topics, including strengthening bilateral and energy cooperation, in addition to the migration crisis in Ceuta.
The Ceuta mass crossing refers to tens of thousands of migrants who crossed the enclave on July 30-31, sparking one of the largest irregular migration crises in Morocco-Spain history.
The crisis also sparked pressure on Spain from the far right, with many politicians attempting to weaponize the mass crossing to question Morocco’s migration efforts and accused it of blackmail and a hybrid attack.
Macron joined a growing European consensus when he argued that what happened in Ceuta is an “undoubtedly external and multifaceted attack.”
However, he also expressed support for increased cooperation between Spain and Morocco, attributing the Ceuta crisis to social media campaigns and agents of misinformation that used vulnerable people to human trafficking networks and irregular migration.
“The analysis we have is that there were information attacks that told people it was possible, that used misery to push tens of thousands of families, young people, sometimes very young people, to take all the risks,” he said.
Macron also questioned the lack of support from other European countries that have not shown support amid the Ceuta crisis.
Commenting on Moroccan cooperation, Macron emphasized the need for the EU to continue working with the Moroccan authorities to tackle migration and highly strategic issues.
“When we work together, everything goes well,” Macron said.
He also called for European solidarity and responsibility in the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The pact entered into force on June 12 this year, setting rules for managing migration and establishing an asylum system at the EU level.
The mechanism covers different pillars, including robust screening. This means that those not fulfilling the conditions to enter the EU will be subject to identification, security, and health checks.
The mechanism also covers border procedures and return protocols.
Efficient returns will take place for those not eligible for international protection. The pillars also include a crisis regulation that provides quick crisis protocols, with operational support and funding.
Morocco has for years strengthened its approach to tackling irregular migration, with international recognition supporting its efforts to combat human trafficking networks.
Yet the country frequently comes under the radar of far-right politicians and others who weaponize irregular migration whenever a mass crossing takes place.
In the Ceuta crisis, Rabat has responded to accusations by stressing that it is committed to tackling irregular migration as part of its firm response against human trafficking and not because it is under pressure or is obliged to act as the EU’s border gendarmerie.
It also urged Spain to cooperate and share responsibility in tackling the crisis, while also urging it to speed up the migrants’ returns.
Following the mass crossing, Morocco cooperated with Spain with an emergency agreement on the rapid return of all those who entered. Under the agreement, the majority have returned either voluntarily or through deportation.
Only a few thousand migrants remain, with Rabat reiterating that Spain has to speed up the return of those who entered the Spanish-occupied city.
