Sixty-seven people died and around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a rush that has triggered a joint EU response. Leaders of 22 member states, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have signed a letter vowing to defend the bloc’s external borders.
The letter was initiated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. It is addressed to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency.
The signatories want the Irish presidency to organise an urgent extraordinary videoconference of interior ministers. Their goal is a joint assessment of the situation and a coordinated European response, including rapid use of EU tools and support for Spain. The letter also asks ministers to look at increased support from Frontex and at how effectively the EU cooperates with Morocco.
Ceuta: 67 dead and 3,000 soldiers deployed
According to the Spanish government, the death toll from the migrant surge in Ceuta is now 67. Victims include both people who drowned and people killed in panic while trying to cross the breakwater barrier.
– The situation is unsustainable. … Actions were taken too late and were insufficient – said Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesus Vivas, quoted by radio portal Cadena SER.
– The government must take energetic, decisive and immediate steps – appealed the opposition People’s Party politician.
On Friday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta. He described the situation as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and said repatriation procedures would be accelerated with Moroccan authorities. He also blamed human trafficking mafias for the crisis. Madrid has sent the army: Defence Minister Margarita Robles said 3,000 soldiers are stationed in Ceuta, ready to help the gendarmerie, police and residents.
„Illegal entry cannot become legal residence”
In the letter, the leaders say they are determined to prevent attempts to undermine the Union’s external borders, as happened in Ceuta. They also warn against any impression that illegal entry into the EU is possible. The authors voice satisfaction with the close cooperation between Spain and Morocco for the rapid return of those who entered illegally, and note that a significant part of them have already been sent back.
– We are determined to prevent attempts to undermine the integrity of the Union’s external borders, as happened in Ceuta – the leaders wrote.
– We cannot allow uncontrolled, mass border crossings, the instrumentalization of migration or other hybrid threats to create the impression that illegal entry into the European Union is possible – they added.
– An illegal entry by a migrant cannot turn into legal residence – the letter said.
– Such a perception would encourage further attempts, undermine trust in our common migration policy and have consequences for all member states – the letter added.
The signatories confirmed that they are ready to take all necessary measures under EU law and Schengen rules to ensure public order and counter risks from secondary movements. That could include strengthening or reintroducing temporary controls at internal borders. They also called for restoring effective control of the EU’s external border.
Spain criticised and defended
The letter was signed by presidents or prime ministers of 22 EU countries. Ireland is absent because its prime minister is one of the recipients; Spain is absent because the crisis concerns it directly. France, Luxembourg and Portugal are also not among the signatories.
Sanchez wrote that most member states expressed support for Spain and offered help. However, some governments decided to attack Madrid and demand Spain’s temporary exclusion from the Schengen zone. He did not name them, but the context pointed mainly to Italy.
Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded to the situation by pointing to Poland’s approach to illegal migration.
– Poland has tightened asylum law, border procedures and built effective barriers on the border with Belarus, which is the EU’s eastern border. We have invested billions of euros and involved thousands of soldiers, police and border guards – Tusk said.
– Spain must follow our example if Schengen is to survive – he added.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
