In a recent address, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner emphasized the need for Europe to learn from the recent crisis that unfolded in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. On a Tuesday afternoon, he spoke to the media following a special session convened by European interior ministers, where representatives from all 27 EU member states joined via videoconference amidst the summer recess. The discussions centered around the chaotic scenes that transpired at the end of last week, as well as the subsequent political fallout characterized by mutual blame, admonitions, and exclusion—a stark contrast to the concept of a united Europe that Brunner and his colleagues are striving to promote.
Last week, tens of thousands of individuals made their way from Morocco to Ceuta and Melilla in a remarkably short span of time, with many opting to swim across. Tragically, Spanish authorities estimate that at least 75 people drowned during this desperate attempt to reach European territory. In just a few hours, these events flipped Europe upside down, generating harrowing images of floating shoes, young men celebrating their arrival in the EU with raised arms, minors weeping in despair, and soldiers rushing to assist. Such visuals were precisely what Europe had aimed to avoid, as they expose the EU's vulnerability to migration as a potent weapon.
Reactions of Condemnation and Discontent
The reactions to these events were understandably charged. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labeled the images from Ceuta as "unacceptable" in a post on X, stating, "We cannot allow anyone to enter our Union without adhering to our rules." This statement, particularly the choice of the word "allow," carried implicit criticism towards Spain, which has been pursuing a relatively liberal migration policy contrary to the prevailing European trend. In response, 22 European heads of state, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, penned an open letter accusing the Spanish government of fostering irregular migration and threatening temporary border controls, effectively putting the Schengen Agreement at risk. Italy even acted on this threat, implementing border checks at a time when many migrants who had arrived in the Spanish enclaves were already on their way back to Morocco.
It's crucial to note that Ceuta and Melilla are not situated on the European mainland but rather in North Africa, making the further movement of migrants into the continent contingent upon additional checks. Consequently, no migrants reached the mainland or other EU states. In light of this, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded to the open letter from his counterparts by describing their reactions as "selfish" and "polarizing." Such an accusation from a leader who claims that others are spreading misinformation is a rare occurrence within the EU.
The interior ministers' meeting aimed to calm the tensions that had arisen from these events. Surprisingly, rather than focusing on criticism of Spain, many discussions turned to positive acknowledgments. Commissioner Brunner expressed gratitude to Sánchez’s government for "restoring order," revealing that more than 95% of the over 70,000 individuals who had reached Ceuta and Melilla in recent days had returned to their home countries, although it remains unclear how many did so voluntarily and how many were forcibly returned.
The Need for Cohesion vs. Deterrence
The aftermath of Ceuta and Melilla highlights a significant divide within Europe, raising pressing questions about the future of EU migration policy. Should the focus now shift towards further tightening migration policies and enhancing deterrence measures, as suggested by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who advocated for the expansion of external borders "with physical barriers"? A few weeks prior, reforms to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) came into effect, which include the outsourcing of asylum procedures to external borders and improved cooperation among member states. However, the EU Commission has noted that not all member states are implementing these reforms uniformly, a criticism that particularly targets Italy, whose Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been vocal in her criticism of Spain.
Nonetheless, the Italian government reportedly urged for the implementation of "Return Hubs" at the interior ministers' meeting. A small coalition of EU member states is planning to establish centers outside the EU where migrants unable to be deported to their home countries would be sent. Germany is among these nations. This topic is likely to be revisited at the upcoming EU summit in the fall, with the events in Ceuta and Melilla reigniting debates about the effectiveness of collaboration with third countries. The role of Moroccan authorities remains unclear; it is still uncertain whether they allowed migrants to cross or even encouraged them.
Alternatively, should the focus be on fostering unity within Europe? The use of migration as a weapon is not a novel concept; in 2021, Belarus's regime was accused of transporting migrants to the EU's eastern border under the pretense of welcoming them. In the same year, several thousand individuals crossed the border into Ceuta, and just a year prior, Turkey had openly tested Europe's borders by declaring its intention to no longer prevent refugees from heading towards Europe.
Commissioner Brunner asserted on Tuesday that Europe has passed the stress test presented by these events. Whether his assertion holds true and if the EU has genuinely learned from this crisis remains to be seen.
As reported by zeit.de.
