Madrid, August 1: Diplomatic activities in Europe have surged regarding the migration crisis in Ceuta, an autonomous city of Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, facing criticism from various quarters, has written to European institutions expressing his discontent with the attitudes of some member states. He has called for an emergency meeting of the interior ministers from the 27 EU member countries.
According to Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, there were no new illegal entries into Ceuta on Friday night, and all access routes have been effectively closed. Meanwhile, the installation of new containment barriers at the Tarajal breakwater has commenced.
Recent government data, reported by El País, indicates that approximately 67 individuals have lost their lives while attempting to reach Spain, with over 48,000 of the nearly 50,000 migrants from Morocco being sent back.
Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska defended the government’s actions, stating, “We have reversed the situation within 24 hours.” The government has also announced a phased reopening of the Melilla border.
In response, 24 European countries, including Italy, Germany, and Denmark, have called for an emergency meeting of the EU’s interior ministers to develop a unified strategy for the Ceuta crisis and to strengthen the security of external borders.
In a joint letter sent to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the current EU Council President from Ireland, these countries emphasized that the meeting should aim to collectively assess the situation and agree on a coordinated European response.
The letter stated that Spain must immediately utilize the EU’s available resources and mechanisms to restore effective control over its external borders and prevent uncontrolled illegal entries.
This letter, initiated by Italy and Germany, also called for increased support from Frontex (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency) and for more effective European cooperation with Morocco.
The signatory countries asserted that human traffickers must not be allowed to undermine the security of the EU’s external borders. The letter stressed that European nations have a responsibility to effectively curb illegal migration, strengthen external borders, and avoid policies that may act as pull factors for illegal migration.
Furthermore, the letter stated that the EU cannot accept uncontrolled mass border crossings, the misuse of migration, or any hybrid threats that suggest illegal entry into Europe can lead to legal residency.
These countries welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Spain and Morocco, noting that the swift return of a large number of illegal migrants is a positive step. They expressed confidence that, with EU support, the current situation will soon be fully under control.
It is worth noting that on Friday alone, over 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco within just 24 hours, resulting in the tragic loss of 67 lives during the chaos of trying to reach European territory.
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