EU calls for stronger borders after Ceuta migrant crossings
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for "united action" on border security following a significant influx of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Spain estimates that approximately 69,500 migrants have since returned to Morocco. The incident has led to strained relations among some EU member states, with Italy temporarily suspending the Schengen arrangement with Spain, a move supported by Finland and Denmark. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also urged a temporary suspension of Spain's Schengen membership. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed "serious concerns" about some European governments, noting that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area and accusing some of attacking Spain "driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest." Von der Leyen, in a letter to Sánchez, praised his handling of the crisis but emphasized the need to strengthen borders at critical points, stating that "the protection of all our external borders is a shared European responsibility." She called for "vigilant monitoring and the use of physical barriers where needed." EU interior ministers are scheduled to hold emergency talks via video conference to discuss the issue and draw "lessons" from the Ceuta episode. Von der Leyen stressed that challenges of illegal immigration require "a common European response, united action and solidarity," urging the EU to focus on preventing irregular migration through cooperation, strengthening
