“We cannot allow uncontrolled mass border crossings, abuse of migration, or other hybrid threats that create the impression that illegal entry into the European Union is possible,” states the open letter, which was published on Saturday by the Italian government. “Such an impression would encourage further attempts and undermine confidence in our common migration policy.”
The European leaders also call for “an immediate and coordinated European response.” They urge the Irish Presidency to convene interior ministers for a videoconference meeting urgently.
The letter is signed by the leaders of most EU countries, but not by Spain itself. The leaders of France and Portugal, Spain’s two neighbouring countries, have also not signed.
On Friday, approximately 50,000 migrants from Morocco entered Ceuta. At least 67 people have died attempting to reach this Spanish enclave on the African continent. According to Spanish authorities, most of these migrants have now returned to Morocco.
Several European countries have sharply criticised the Spanish government. They also called for Spain to be excluded from the Schengen Area. Ceuta is not part of the Schengen zone. Italy also introduced border controls on Friday evening for maritime and air traffic from Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously requested a meeting of the interior ministers of the 27 EU countries in a letter. In three letters, Sánchez also condemned the “selfishness” of various member states.
The initial translation of this content was generated by AI. All facts, context, and language have subsequently been verified and validated by a human editorial team.
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