Ceuta: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized to Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that border security should be viewed as a “shared European responsibility,” suggesting that the European Union may extend more support to Morocco. This statement comes as Spain works to manage the aftermath of tens of thousands of people who recently crossed into the North African exclave of Ceuta.
According to Deutsche Welle, the situation has prompted EU interior ministers to schedule an emergency video meeting on Tuesday to explore potential responses. The recent influx into Ceuta has stirred tensions among EU nations, leading countries like Italy and France to implement temporary border controls, although travel from Ceuta to the mainland still requires identification.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sanchez on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen called for “united action” on border security within the EU. She highlighted the necessity of reinforcing external borders at critical points and praised Sanchez for his swift action, noting that most of the roughly 50,000 people had already returned to Morocco.
Ceuta’s chief government official, Juan Jesus Vivas, estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 people remain in the city, with a slightly lower figure suggested by the Spanish government’s delegate. Von der Leyen also proposed potential increased cooperation and support for Morocco, emphasizing its strategic importance in tackling migrant smuggling and illegal migration.
The migration surge that began on Thursday has resulted in heightened tensions within the EU, with France announcing temporary border checks and some member states suggesting Spain’s suspension from the Schengen free-travel area. Spain criticized certain partners for their “selfish” response and called for urgent discussions among European interior ministers.
The current migration situation follows recent EU tightening of migration rules, which led to reduced irregular migration. Despite the introduction of legislation for “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers, no such agreements have been finalized. Migration expert Gerald Knaus remarked that the recent events were not driven by structural changes but rather misinformation online suggesting open borders in Spain.
Knaus noted that the current situation differs from the 2015 crisis, with fewer asylum seekers and a predominance of young Moroccan men among the recent migrants. He emphasized the political response’s similarity to past events, underscoring the need for a clear European policy to deter unauthorized crossings.