EU Leaders Express Support for Spain Amid Migration Concerns
In light of intense criticism directed at Spain from various EU member states, EU Council President António Costa has publicly reaffirmed his support for the Spanish government. Costa stated on social media platform X that third-country nationals in Ceuta do not have the right to unrestricted movement into mainland Spain or the wider Schengen area. He emphasized that Spain's decisive actions, which include ongoing accelerated repatriations, reflect the EU's determination to safeguard its external borders, combat illegal migration, and dismantle criminal smuggling networks. Costa also acknowledged Spain's close cooperation with Morocco in managing the situation.
Responses and Reactions to the Migration Crisis
Contrasting Costa's remarks, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labeled the images emerging from Ceuta as unacceptable. Manfred Weber, leader of the conservative European People’s Party (EVP) in the European Parliament, has called for Frontex deployment should Spain fail to adhere to Schengen standards. Following calls for Spain's exclusion from the Schengen area, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned against the fragmentation of Europe, stressing the need for solidarity and empathy as fundamental aspects of the EU's values. Sánchez highlighted the importance of respecting European treaties and shared data, providing statistics on irregular border crossings between 2021 and 2022, indicating that Italy recorded the highest number of irregular entries during this period.
As the situation unfolds, reports indicate that the death toll from the recent migration attempts has risen to at least 57, with many individuals reportedly drowning while trying to reach the Spanish exclave. The Spanish government has stated that a significant portion of the migrants has since returned to Morocco, with estimates suggesting that around 37,500 individuals have left Ceuta. In this context, the Spanish Interior Ministry has noted that the majority of the approximately 50,000 migrants who arrived recently are no longer in the area. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions among European leaders regarding the future of Spain's participation in the Schengen agreement.
As reported by zeit.de.
