King Felipe VI reaffirmed Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta during a landmark visit on Tuesday, declaring the North African enclave an “inalienable” part of Spain amid strained relations with Morocco and a lingering migration crisis.

Speaking to residents in Ceuta, Felipe said, “Ceuta and Melilla are an inalienable part of the political and national reality that is Spain. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country are not negotiable.” He emphasized that any threat to the exclaves, which Morocco claims, is a threat to the entire European Union, as their borders are EU borders .

The visit, the first by a Spanish monarch since 2007, followed a July 30-31 mass migrant influx in which over 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, overwhelming the city of 80,000. At least 140 died in the attempt, and thousands remain in improvised facilities or on the streets. Felipe called the breach a “shock” and stressed that migrants who entered irregularly must return to their origins through legal channels .

Crowds waving Spanish flags greeted the king and Queen Letizia, with some wearing shirts reading “Ceuta is not for sale.” The royals also attended an ecumenical ceremony at a Muslim cemetery honoring the 140 victims of the July crossing .