EU Migration Commissioner Calls for Strategic Leverage

Magnus Brunner, the European Union's Commissioner for Migration, has emphasized the necessity for the EU to utilize all available means of influence, including visa policies and trade relations, to ensure Morocco's collaboration on migration issues. In statements reported by Reuters, Brunner highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation with third countries in the area of migrant repatriation, advocating the use of all tools at the EU's disposal to forge effective partnerships.

Brunner's remarks come in light of a recent crisis that underscores the urgent need for more stringent actions against human traffickers. He urged legislators to advance the EU’s strategy for combating smuggling, a proposal initially suggested by the European Commission nearly three years ago. However, humanitarian organizations have criticized this approach, arguing that it does not clearly exempt individuals providing migrants with food, shelter, or other forms of assistance from criminal penalties.

Kiara Catelli, a policy advocate for the human rights organization 'Beckham', stated, "The events in Ceuta should serve as a wake-up call to expand safe pathways for work and protection, not as an excuse to impose new sanctions." Meanwhile, Lahcen Haddad, the co-chair of the EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee, defended Morocco's record, pointing out that the country has thwarted over 227,000 attempts at illegal crossings and dismantled more than 1,050 smuggling networks between 2023 and 2025. He acknowledged that while criticism is legitimate, it is equally important to recognize Morocco's substantial contributions to the issue.

Morocco has refuted allegations of turning a blind eye to the surge in mass migration towards the occupied Ceuta, arguing that Spain should have anticipated the consequences of a judicial ruling stipulating that migrants arriving by swimming could not be deported. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside Spanish and Moroccan authorities, concurred that it is the smuggling networks that have instigated the migrant crossings into Ceuta.

As reported by lakome2.com.