The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) today welcomed Juan Jesús Vivas Lara, President of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, to its offices in Brussels, ahead of his expected engagement at the European Committee of the Regions.
EPP-CoR Secretary-General Filippo Terruso met President Vivas, reiterating President Sari Rautio's support and solidarity with Ceuta and its people. “On behalf of our President, Sari Rautio, we were pleased to welcome President Juan Jesús Vivas Lara to the EPP-CoR Group and look forward to him joining the European Committee of the Regions,” said Terruso.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the situation facing Ceuta and the importance of a strong and coordinated European response to the particular challenges confronting the EU's external border regions. “Ceuta stands strong. Ceuta is a European border, and defending Ceuta means defending Europe. If Ceuta falters, Spain falters — and Europe falters with it. The people of Ceuta deserve to return to normality, and Ceuta needs the support and solidarity of Europe as a whole,” President Vivas said.
Earlier this month, Sari Rautio, EPP-CoR President and Juanma Moreno, President of Andalusia participated in a demonstration in Brussels to express solidarity with Ceuta and its people.
The EPP-CoR stresses that border regions and cities such as Ceuta carry responsibilities that extend far beyond their own territories. Managing Europe's external borders requires solidarity, adequate resources and close cooperation between European, national, regional and local authorities.
President Vivas was invited to discuss the situation directly with EPP local and regional leaders on the occasion of the forthcoming EPP-CoR Group meeting on the 13th of October.
Ceuta is Spain. Ceuta is Europe.