European leaders warn Ceuta crisis threatens EU migration system
A joint statement from 20 European leaders warns that recent events in Ceuta could undermine trust in the EU’s migration management.
Key Takeaways
AIA statement from leaders of 20 European countries warned that the recent events in Ceuta could undermine confidence in the European Union’s system for managing irregular migration.
The statement added that there has been no irregular internal migration from Ceuta to other EU member states.
The leaders welcomed cooperation between Spain and Morocco to ensure the swift return of migrants who entered Ceuta.
According to Bloomberg, Spanish security forces and the military escorted a large group of migrants out of Ceuta, returning them to Morocco via the Tarajal border crossing.
Tens of thousands had attempted to reach Ceuta by land and sea, with some swimming for hours using flotation devices, while others crossed coastal areas, taking advantage of temporary gaps along the border.
The BBC reported that the redeployment of security and auxiliary forces to help secure the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne created a temporary gap, which groups waiting for an opportunity to cross had exploited. The report noted that many of those who tried to reach Ceuta were not only Moroccans, but also people of various nationalities seeking any chance to enter European territory.