European Union seeks stricter rules for migrants after influx into Ceuta

EU interior ministers called on Tuesday for tougher measures against migrant smuggling networks and stronger repatriation policies, following the entry of approximately 72,000 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa last week, which sparked concern across the bloc.

The ministers also urged enhanced cooperation with countries outside the EU to curb irregular migration and prevent a recurrence of this wave, which began on Thursday at one of the two land border crossing points between the EU and Africa, both of which are shared with Morocco.

EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner said at a press conference following an emergency meeting of justice and interior ministers that the influx of migrants was fueled by criminal smuggling networks and misleading information on social media.