Leaders from 22 European Union nations have signed a letter calling for an emergency meeting following Spain’s recent migrant surge at the North African enclave of Ceuta.
According to Euronews, the letter was initiated by Italy and Denmark and calls for "an extraordinary videoconference of the Ministers of the Interior," describing the situation as a “matter of urgency.” The letter was addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, whose country assumed the rotating presidency of the council of the European Union last month.
It was estimated that around 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco. Spanish officials have since claimed that the vast majority have already left the enclave by voluntary departure. The country also said that 57 bodies had been recovered from the huge rush of migrants coming in, with reports of some having drowned and some being crushed while trying to climb the breakwater that has the border fence on it.
Still, the EU leaders said the situation has raised “serious” concerns. The signed leaders said the meeting should form a “common assessment of the situation" in Ceuta and reach an "agreement on a coordinated European response."
"We cannot allow uncontrolled mass crossings, the instrumentalisation of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible," the letter stated. "Such a perception would encourage further attempts, undermine confidence in our common migration policy and have repercussions for all Member States."
The leaders of France, Portugal, or Luxembourg did not sign the letter.
The appeal comes shortly after Spain’s Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily rejected at the border. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the letter was a "rather asymmetric" response. He wrote in his own letter that "most have shown us their support and solidarity, and have offered their assistance.”
According to Euronews, the letter was initiated by Italy and Denmark and calls for "an extraordinary videoconference of the Ministers of the Interior," describing the situation as a “matter of urgency.” The letter was addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, whose country assumed the rotating presidency of the council of the European Union last month.
It was estimated that around 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco. Spanish officials have since claimed that the vast majority have already left the enclave by voluntary departure. The country also said that 57 bodies had been recovered from the huge rush of migrants coming in, with reports of some having drowned and some being crushed while trying to climb the breakwater that has the border fence on it.
Still, the EU leaders said the situation has raised “serious” concerns. The signed leaders said the meeting should form a “common assessment of the situation" in Ceuta and reach an "agreement on a coordinated European response."
"We cannot allow uncontrolled mass crossings, the instrumentalisation of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible," the letter stated. "Such a perception would encourage further attempts, undermine confidence in our common migration policy and have repercussions for all Member States."
The leaders of France, Portugal, or Luxembourg did not sign the letter.
The appeal comes shortly after Spain’s Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily rejected at the border. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the letter was a "rather asymmetric" response. He wrote in his own letter that "most have shown us their support and solidarity, and have offered their assistance.”
