The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, began a series of meetings with representatives of the European institutions in Brussels this Tuesday. The aim is to make progress towards better integrating Ceuta and Melilla into the European Union through their participation in the various European instruments and bodies.
Albares met with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on Tuesday. They discussed strengthening the European Union's cooperation with Ceuta and Melilla and, in particular, establishing a permanent presence in the autonomous cities of European agencies such as Frontex, Europol and the European Union Agency for Asylum. At present, the agencies can also help expedite the necessary procedures so that normality can be restored in Ceuta as soon as possible.
They also discussed strengthening response capacities in situations of pressure at the EU's external borders and other challenges such as disinformation, which is at the root of this crisis, and foreign interference aimed at destabilising the EU by exploiting divisive issues such as migration.
The Minister's agenda in Brussels will continue tomorrow with meetings with representatives of the European Committee of the Regions, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, with whom he will discuss relations with Morocco and other countries in the Southern Neighbourhood. Albares will also meet with the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, with whom he will explore the inclusion of Ceuta and Melilla in the Customs Union, as well as other instruments available to improve Ceuta and Melilla's trade and economic integration within the European Union.