Is Ceuta part of Schengen?

MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Tuesday her government is considering including Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s enclaves in North Africa, fully in Europe’s passport-free Schengen area.

What is Ceuta and Melilla?

Ceuta is an autonomous city administered by Spain. Ceuta, Melilla (also an exclave), and other tiny islets along the coast of North Africa constitute the territories of Spanish North Africa. The city is on a narrow isthmus that connects Mount Hacho (also held by Spain) to the mainland.

Does Morocco claim Ceuta and Melilla?

“From a political and administrative standpoint, for the most part of their history, these two enclaves were not considered full-fledged Spanish cities. “Under international law, Morocco doesn’t have strong claims to Ceuta and Melilla, which have been Spanish for hundreds of years.

Are Ceuta and Melilla colonies?

Ceuta and Melilla, both military emplacements, are fully paid-up parts of Spain whose citizens elect their own representatives in the Madrid parliament and have exactly the same rights as any other Spaniard. “[Ceuta and Melilla] have never been colonies and are not now.”

Is Melilla a Schengen?

MADRID – Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Tuesday her government is considering including Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s enclaves in North Africa, fully in Europe’s passport-free Schengen area. …

What is Europe’s Schengen zone?

Schengen Area signifies a zone where 26 European countries, abolished their internal borders, for the free and unrestricted movement of people, in harmony with common rules for controlling external borders and fighting criminality by strengthening the common judicial system and police cooperation.

Is Melilla still Spanish?

One of two Spanish autonomous cities in mainland Africa together with Ceuta, it was part of the Province of Málaga until 14 March 1995, when the Statute of Autonomy of Melilla was passed. Melilla is one of the special territories of the European Union (EU)….Melilla.

Why is Melilla Spanish?

Melilla, Spanish exclave, military base, and free port on the northern coast of Morocco. Melilla was the first Spanish town to rise against the Popular Front government in July 1936, thus helping precipitate the Spanish Civil War. Melilla was retained by Spain as an exclave when Morocco attained independence in 1956.

Is Ceuta in the EU?

Ceuta is part of the territory of the European Union. The city was a free port before Spain joined the European Union in 1986. Now it has a low-tax system within the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union.

Why is the UK not in Schengen?

For many years, the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland were within the European Union but not signed up to the Schengen Agreement, having obtained opt-outs from the treaty. However, the U.K. is in the process of leaving the European Union, having voted to leave in 2016, and having officially exited on 31 January 2020.

Why is it called Schengen?

Schengen is a European zone consisting of 26 countries, which have abolished internal borders. The name “Schengen” comes from the small winemaking town and commune of Schengen in far southeastern Luxembourg, where France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement.

Is Melilla Spain safe?

Melilla is a safe city to visit, though not unconditionally so. There are always lots of people enjoying the beach, etc. until late; though it is not advisable to travel alone at night, even in the city centre. Street robbery is not an uncommon occurrence for people walking alone at night in Melilla.

Where are Ceuta and Melilla located on the map?

Looking at the map, it is possible to see with total accuracy that Ceuta and Melilla belong to Morocco. In fact, they are located in North Africa and on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, they are named as two autonomous cities of Spain since 1995, when the Spanish government gave to the two cities an independent status.

Who was the king of Ceuta and Melilla?

However, beyond the geographical and legal plan, Ceuta and Melilla continue to be linked to Morocco due to the phenomenon of immigration. Hassan II, King of Morocco from 1961 until his death on 23 July 1999, described his country as a “tree that has its roots in Africa but its branches extend into Europe”.

Why did Spain build walls in Ceuta and Melilla?

For this reason, Spain decided to build two barriers of 3 feet high: 8 km long in Ceuta and 12 km long in Melilla. These walls separate the two Spanish autonomous cities from Morocco. They remind the Berlin Wall built on 13 August 1961, by East Germany to divide it from West Germany.

How are immigrants treated in Ceuta and Melilla?

The wounded arrive daily in the hospitals of Ceuta and Melilla with lesions and cuts of various kinds. In particular, the immigrants present legs and heads broken by the brutality of the security forces guarding the border and ready to launch an attack.