Spanish Foreign Minister: Unprecedented crisis in Ceuta, calling on Europe to show solidarity
Madrid, Aug 3 (KUNA) -- Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell described Monday the mass wave of irregular migrants crossing into the city of Ceuta as an “unprecedented event,” calling on the European Union to show greater solidarity with Spain.
In an interview with Spanish national radio, Borrell criticized what he termed the “irresponsible” reactions of some European governments and political parties to the crisis, noting that certain actors sought to exaggerate the situation by spreading “misleading information” about the security of the Schengen area. He also suggested that some governments “were not up to the task,” a reference to criticisms leveled by Italy against Spain’s migration policy.
Borrell emphasized that the Ceuta crisis, involving the EU’s only land border with Africa, requires a coordinated European response, stressing that Madrid would reiterate this position at the meeting of EU interior ministers scheduled for Tuesday, which Spain convened to discuss ways to manage the crisis.
He praised Morocco’s stance, noting that it had offered cooperation “from the very first moment” to halt the influx of migrants and facilitate their return. He added that the “vast majority” of those who entered Ceuta irregularly had already been returned to Moroccan territory, with tens of thousands sent back in less than 48 hours through full coordination between the two countries.
Borrell affirmed that Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla “is not up for debate,” denying that the crisis had prompted any discussions with Rabat regarding their status.
The minister’s comments come days after approximately 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta irregularly, a figure Rabat reduces to 40,000, marking the largest crossing wave the city has seen since 2021. The incident resulted in 72 deaths, most of them drowning while attempting to reach the city’s beaches.
The Spanish government stated on Monday that most of the migrants had returned to Morocco, while state television reported that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remained in the Spanish crown territory.
Spain announced the deployment of a floating barrier approximately 500 meters long and one meter deep alongside the maritime boundary between Ceuta and Morocco, as part of measures to strengthen maritime border surveillance and create a physical obstacle to deter swimming attempts to reach the city. (End) H.N.D./N.S.A.
