Today, the Commission has decided to provide Spain with €114.7 million in emergency assistance to help manage the situation in Ceuta, following the large-scale illegal border crossings on 30-31 July. This financial support builds on the Commission's immediate response from the first day, when it offered Spain both financial and operational assistance. The decision further demonstrates the Commission's full solidarity with Spain in addressing the challenging situation.
The Commission has also coordinated and facilitated the mobilisation of support from the EU agencies. Frontex, Europol and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) have responded positively to Spain's request for operational support, further strengthening the assistance available to the Spanish authorities to manage the situation on the ground.
Today's decision on emergency funding follows the request submitted by Spain on 24 August, which the Commission treated as a priority, being in close and continuous contact with the Spanish authorities at all levels from the start. The funding comes from the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (€82.7 million) and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (€32 million). It will support measures to enhance border surveillance, border protection and security-related infrastructure (e.g. thermal cameras and observation technology, floating buoy systems, underwater drones), as well as the deployment of additional staff and equipment. It will also serve to set up facilities for the screening of migrants, as well as to support returns of those who remain illegally in Ceuta. It will also support reception capacity in Ceuta, including for unaccompanied minors.
In addition, the Commission is today replying to the Spanish authorities in relation to Spain's request from 28 August related to additional support from the EU agencies.
Frontex is ready to extend all existing operational plans of the Joint Operations in Spain in 2027. The extension of the current Joint Operation Minerva has already been agreed and will ensure the continued deployment of Frontex's Standing Corps officers in Ceuta. Further Frontex support can include the deployment of maritime assets, increased information exchange in the framework of Eurosur , returns, including pre-return and post-return assistance, as well as support cooperation with Morocco.
Europol has confirmed it will continue the existing cooperation with the Spanish law enforcement authorities, in particular in relation to investigations into migrant smuggling networks and strategic analysis.
