# EU urges faster migrant returns from Ceuta

13 October 2026 at 19:51

> Ursula von der Leyen calls for accelerated returns to Morocco and full implementation of the Migration Pact ahead of the Brussels summit.

**European Commission** President **Ursula von der Leyen** has urged EU member states to accelerate the return of illegal migrants from **Ceuta** to **Morocco**. In a letter sent ahead of the Brussels summit, she confirmed support for Spain to ensure these departures.

The Commission President called for the full application of the Migration and Asylum Pact, a framework Spain has yet to implement entirely. The letter makes two direct references to Ceuta and highlights the need to draw lessons from recent border events.

Brussels aims to reinforce its partnership with Morocco to prevent illegal departures and strengthen border management. European Council President **António Costa** also addressed the 27 member states regarding the instrumentalisation of migration crises.


[#Ceuta](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/ceuta>) #MigrationPact [#EuropeanCommission](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/europeancommission>) [#Morocco](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/morocco>) [#EU](<https://spainnews.co.uk/hashtag/eu>)

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