Morocco Ready to Cooperate on Return of Minors from Ceuta

Morocco is prepared to cooperate with Spain and other European partners on the return of unaccompanied migrant minors who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, state news agency MAP reported on Thursday.

On the king’s instructions, the Moroccan interior and foreign affairs ministries are to work on identifying unaccompanied minors with a view to facilitating their return to their home countries.

Spanish authorities say around 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during last week’s influx, while Moroccan authorities put the figure at around 40,000.

At least 1,100 unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta. Some arrived during last week’s mass influx, while others were already in the enclave.

The vast majority of migrants who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco. Unlike adults, however, minors cannot be immediately returned under existing procedures.

(Reuters, lud)