The socialist MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar has denounced this Monday the "failure in solidarity" of the European Union (EU) with Spain in the face of the migratory crisis in Ceuta and has emphasized the importance of maintaining cooperation with Morocco. At the same time, the deputy José Zaragoza has stated that the attitude of the Ceuta president, Juan Jesús Vivas, has varied since the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, came to "read him the riot act".
Before participating in the socialist Interparliamentary meeting held in Congress, the former Minister of Justice explained to journalists that they are following the evolution of the situation in Ceuta "with concern", but also "with confidence" in the efforts that the Government is making to restore normality "as soon as possible".
In relation to Morocco, López Aguilar has described the Alaouite kingdom as "the inevitable" and "inexorable" neighbor and has insisted that it is "a very bad idea" to overlook that, without its collaboration, it will not only be unfeasible to organize the returns of those who continue in Ceuta, but also to offer guarantees to Ceutíes and Melillenses that incidents like the one experienced do not happen again.
The MEP has also demanded that the European Union "put in a lot of effort" and has criticized the "double standard" of the community institutions, considering that they have "failed the solidarity they owe to Spain". In this context, he recalled the support provided by Spain to Finland, Poland, and the Baltic republics against Russia and labeled it "deplorable" that this support has not been replicated now with the Spanish case.
López Aguilar has also defended that the European Union must "put in a lot of effort to redirect the relationship with Morocco", emphasizing that the EU "invests a lot" in that country and has the obligation to use that "diplomatic leverage" to ensure that episodes like the one in Ceuta "do not happen again".
Zaragoza points out Feijóo's influence over Vivas
On the other hand, José Zaragoza has stated that, since the president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, went to "read him the riot act" to the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, his attitude "has changed". "At first he was very cooperative and now he does not cooperate (with the Government)", he indicated.
The spokesperson for the Catalan socialists considers that Vivas "should reflect" on what is best for Ceuta, "whether to understand each other with the Government" or to allow "the problem to fester." "I know very clearly" that behind Mr. Vivas is Mr. Feijóo," he emphasized.
Arcadi España calls for a return to normality
Upon leaving the Interparliamentary meeting, the Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, stated, when asked about a possible social outbreak in Ceuta after the recent clashes, that the Executive has "the desire and will" to channel the situation and achieve that the city recovers normality as soon as possible.
The minister emphasized that this is the objective they have been working on "from day one," complying with the law and acting "with the whole set of administrations."
Simancas questions the PP's stance with Morocco
The Secretary of State for Relations with the Cortes, Rafael Simancas, has also spoken about this crisis, criticizing through a message on the social network X the position of the PP regarding relations with Morocco, after the Madrid president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, showed support for this approach.
"Well, the PP will tell us how they would negotiate the return of immigrants to a country with which they have previously broken relations," Simancas wrote, before adding: "The Castilian saying is confirmed: from where there is nothing, nothing can be taken."