Spain to station permanent Frontex unit in Ceuta and Melilla after recent invasion

During a security forum in Madrid, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that Frontex will obtain a lasting institutional foothold in Ceuta and Melilla, addressing the cities' calls for stronger border reinforcement. The announcement also includes a request for permanent representation of the enclaves in the Committee of the Regions and an effort to secure their entry into the EU customs union, a demand voiced by local business groups.

Albares noted that the European Commission has approved a package of aid for the cities, which must be formalised through a project submission. The initiative follows Ursula von der Leyen’s recent remarks emphasizing Ceuta’s status as a European border, and Markus Lammert’s reminder that Spain must formally request the assistance for it to be deployed.