MADRID: The European Commission and the executive of the 28-nation EU urged the Spanish Cusotms not to immediately deport the migrants who arrive at the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Commission spokeswoman Nathalie Bertaud told reporters EU commissioner for migration, Dimitris Avramopoulos, would visit Spain Monday and Tuesday “to take stock of the situation on the ground” in light of a new law authorising such deportations.
“The recent establishment of offices at the border for requests for international protection in Ceuta and Melilla is seen by the Commission as a positive development,” she said. “However, it is necessary to ensure that the border crossing point is accessible in practice to allow asylum seekers to present their application, without having to scale the border fences,” Bertaud added.