22 EU Member States Call for Emergency Video Conference on 'Ceuta Situation' Urging European-Level Response

Twenty-two European Union member states have called for an emergency video conference of European interior ministers regarding the influx of Moroccan migrants into Ceuta, Spain.

French daily Le Figaro reported on the 1st local time that leaders of 22 countries, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, sent an open letter to leadership including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa making the demand.

The letter was also joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as the leaders of Hungary, Sweden, and Poland.

However, France and Portugal, which border Spain, did not participate.

The leaders of the 22 nations argued in the letter that "recent events demand an immediate and coherent European-level response."

The leaders stated, "Through this meeting, we must jointly assess the situation, swiftly mobilize the tools held by the EU, and agree on joint European responses such as providing the necessary support for Spain to restore effective control over its external EU borders and prevent indiscriminate border crossings."

The leaders further warned, "The impression must not be given that illegal entry into the EU is possible, nor should a signal be sent that illegal entry can lead to legal residence."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also criticized the attitude shown by some European countries toward this situation and urged an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers.

In a letter sent to EU leadership, he pointed out that the reactions of some European governments "not only violate European law, humanitarian legal regulations, and the principles of solidarity that bind us together, but also go against Europe's long-term interests and the most fundamental common sense."

He went on to argue that "the EU must not tolerate these kinds of selfish, divisive, and illegal reactions," and that through discussions among member states, it must "devise joint countermeasures and reaffirm that the security of external borders is not merely the responsibility of the nations on the frontline of the union, but a shared responsibility of all member states."

Previously, as nearly 60,000 migrants flocked to Ceuta, a Spanish territory bordering Morocco in North Africa, the Italian government announced the closure of its maritime and air borders with Spain out of concern over their migration into Europe.

Finland and Denmark also expressed political support for Italy's stance.

Most of the Moroccan migrants who flocked to Ceuta had returned to their home country as of the 1st.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated at a press conference held in Ceuta that the local situation had "almost" normalized, adding, "While we cannot say the crisis is completely over, the situation is improving significantly."

He stated that the number of people who died while attempting to enter Ceuta from Morocco reached at least 67.

The Spanish government announced plans to install a 500-meter-long barrier along the maritime border between Ceuta and Morocco to prevent similar incidents.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.