Felipe VI has reiterated this Tuesday from the autonomous city that "Ceuta is Spain," emphasizing the need to act with full institutional coordination in the face of the crisis triggered by the massive entry of immigrants, and defending that those who entered irregularly must return to their countries of origin "as soon as possible and through the established legal channels."
The monarch has repeated "Ceuta is Spain" up to three times during his speech at the Parador of Ceuta, where he has come accompanied by Queen Letizia almost two and a half months after the migratory avalanche, an episode he has described as a "violation" and "a shock for everyone." He has also mentioned Melilla and highlighted something he considers "obvious": "They are an inalienable part of the political and national reality that is Spain" and "sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, they are indisputable."
In this context, he has recalled, as he already conveyed to his interlocutors from France and Finland, that the borders of Ceuta and Melilla are also borders of the European Union, so that "any threat" against them affects the whole of the community project. "This fundamental principle, according to which the external border of the Union is a common responsibility, is widely shared by the member countries," he has emphasized.
In his view, situations like the current one highlight the true meaning of being European: "When it is expected that the values of European integration translate into solidarity and commitment when it comes to protecting the external European border," he has demanded from the EU partners.
Institutional unity and management of the migratory crisis
Felipe VI has explained that he has the people of Ceuta in mind every day since July 30 and has called for a united response from all administrations, demanding effective and loyal cooperation to apply "practical and tangible" solutions to the crisis. He has urged that "public authorities, local institutions and those of the State, including the Crown as a symbol of its unity and permanence, and the political forces be, let us be, without fissures, without ambiguities or half measures, up to our citizenship, up to your height."
In relation to the immigrants, who amount to about 72,000 according to the central Government and to 100,000 according to the figures provided by the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, the King has emphasized the importance of them returning to their places of origin "as soon as possible and through the legally established channels." At the same time, he has demanded that, while they remain in the city, they be treated with "dignity, humanity, and all the guarantees provided by the laws," and he has urged them to respect the rules of coexistence and the rights and freedoms of the inhabitants of Ceuta.
The head of State has taken advantage of his intervention to express his "pain" for the people who died "tragically and absurdly" during those days, after visiting the cemetery of Sidi Embarek and participating in an ecumenical act in memory of the at least 140 victims of the avalanche.
Felipe VI has also referred to the relationship with Morocco, which, he has emphasized, must be based on "mutual trust and respect." "It is what is desirable and what I believe is necessary," he has pointed out, warning that this objective requires "good faith." He has insisted that Spain "has the firm intention to do everything in its power to make it so, but always" under those principles.
Message of support for Ceuta and a look to the future
The King has confessed to the people of Ceuta that 2026 would be the year in which he would settle "the long debt" of a visit to the autonomous city, which he has visited for the first time. He has expressed himself as "moved" and has emphasized that both he and Queen Letizia have traveled to "see them, listen to them, and give them a hug full of affection and love."
Likewise, he has praised the "everyday exercise of coexistence" that takes place in Ceuta, despite the "difficulties" in recovering full normality and the existing "unease and concern." He has extended his recognition to municipal and national police, civil guards, military personnel, civil protection staff, healthcare workers, and the rest of the public employees, not leaving out the volunteers who have collaborated in managing the emergency.
In the final part of his speech, he wanted to send a message of "serenity and confidence" in the face of "uncertainty," guaranteeing that Spain will not abandon the autonomous city nor leave it "alone and defenseless" against the challenges it faces, and predicting a "future of hope and prosperity" for the enclave.
"It depends on you (...) but it mainly depends on the whole of the State and on all of Spanish society, and with both you can count," he assured. "I repeat: you are not alone and you will not be alone," he emphasized, reaffirming the "full, permanent, and unequivocal commitment of the Crown," in coherence with the message that the Kings have expressed in the Book of Honor of Ceuta.