EU calls for stronger borders after Ceuta migrant crossings
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for united border security action after tens of thousands of migrants entered Spain's Ceuta.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- EU calls for stronger borders after Ceuta crossings
- Spain reports nearly 70,000 migrants returned
- Italy temporarily suspends Schengen with Spain
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for united action on border security following the chaotic influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta last week.
Spain estimates that about 69,500 migrants have now returned to Morocco, exceeding initial estimates of 50,000. The official death toll on the Spanish side of the border stands at 72, with 11 deaths on the Moroccan side.
On Tuesday, EU interior ministers will hold emergency talks by video conference to discuss the issue. The scenes in Ceuta have strained relations among some of the EU's 27 member states.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, von der Leyen praised his swift handling of the crisis. But she added that from this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points.
"From this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points."
In response to the Ceuta crossings, Italy temporarily suspended the Schengen arrangement with Spain. The Schengen agreement eliminates border checks and now encompasses more than 450 million people and 29 countries in Europe.
The Schengen Area is a cornerstone of free movement across Europe. Italy's decision to temporarily suspend the arrangement with Spain highlights regional political tensions and growing anxieties among member states regarding the management of the EU's external borders during migration crises.
Finland and Denmark backed Italy's move, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged a temporary suspension of Spain's Schengen membership.
In response, Sánchez said he had serious concerns about some European governments and pointed out that Ceuta was not part of the Schengen area. Sánchez has accused migrant traffickers of exploiting a decision recently made by the country's supreme court which constrained the government's right to immediately deport people who had arrived by sea.
Source: BBC World
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