EU commends Spain's 'swift response' to Ceuta migrant crisis
The European Union has commended Spain for its handling of a massive migrant influx in Ceuta, where 72,000 people crossed the border in two days. Despite criticism from Italy and other member states regarding border security, the EU emphasized the need for a unified response to migration challenges.
Why it matters
The crisis highlights the ongoing tensions within the EU regarding migration policy, border control, and the integrity of the Schengen agreement.
The European Union has praised Spain's "swift response" to the migrant crisis in Ceuta, following a meeting of the bloc's interior ministers on Tuesday.
Around 72,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish territory in North Africa between 30 and 31 July, Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said. He added that an estimated 70,000 have since been returned to Morocco.
At least 75 people died on the Spanish side of the border, while 11 deaths were reported in Morocco.
Tuesday's meeting was called after several EU members expressed concern over Spain's handling of the crisis, with Italy describing images from Ceuta as "shocking" and suspending its Schengen agreement with Spain.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, who chaired Tuesday's meeting, said the EU stood in solidarity with Spain and that migration required "a united European response".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in