The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, praised on Monday the “efficient and effective” management of the latest migration crisis in Ceuta by the authorities of Spain and Morocco, while insisting on giving a “common European response,” united and supportive.
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“I want to praise the swift management of the returns of people who entered Ceuta illegally from Morocco. Both the Spanish and Moroccan authorities have managed this situation efficiently and effectively, successfully preventing illegal transfer to mainland Spain and Europe,” said Von der Leyen in a letter addressed to the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez.
After the massive entry that took place last week through the El Tarajal breakwater, according to the Spanish Government, “the vast majority” are already on Moroccan soil and “every last one” who crossed the border by swimming will return to the neighboring country.
Likewise, the President of the Commission has assured that the migration crisis recorded in Ceuta makes it clear that the EU must “do more” at its external borders, for which she advocates “rigorous surveillance” and “physical barriers when necessary.”
Furthermore, she has also guaranteed that the European Union will not accept any attempt to use irregular migration as an “instrument of pressure” against a member state. “We have been firm in stating that the European Union will not accept illegal entries. Nor can it accept any attempt to use illegal migration as a means to exert pressure on a member state,” the German conservative states in a letter emphasizing that the protection of the bloc’s borders is a “shared European responsibility” necessary to “preserve the integrity of the Schengen area.”
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These words contrast with the criticisms from other European countries, especially Italy, of the Spanish management of the crisis. This matter will be addressed this Monday in a meeting of the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) countries, and on Tuesday a meeting of the interior ministers of the 27 is scheduled to address the situation.
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In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, stated today that there have been states and governments “that have not been up to the task.” He specifically referred to Italy. In response to the criticisms coming from Rome, Albares emphasized that “the country with the lowest number of entries in the Mediterranean is Spain,” and highlighted, in contrast, that “the country with the highest number of entries is Italy.” “There you really have what a successful migration policy is, there you have where partisan demagogy and effectiveness and responsibility lie,” he added.
Italy, he added, “has been absolutely overwhelmed and continues to be overwhelmed by irregular immigrants to the point that on many occasions we have had to accommodate the rest of the European countries, as Spain exercised that solidarity to relocate some of those migrants.”
The Foreign Minister also announced that Spain will request tomorrow, at the extraordinary meeting of interior ministers, the “solidarity” of all member states.
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