EU Ministers Back Spain on Ceuta Migration Crisis, Reassure Schengen Security

European Union interior ministers convened to address the migration situation in Ceuta, Spain, marking a significant shift in the bloc's stance. Earlier, EU leaders had publicly attributed the crisis to Madrid's migration policies, suggesting it could have wider European implications.

However, following a three-hour extraordinary meeting in Brussels, the ministers lauded Spain's handling of the Ceuta crisis. They stressed that the passport-free Schengen zone was never in danger. The meeting concluded with a call for enhanced coordination between member states to effectively manage future migration emergencies.

Magnus Brunner, the EU's migration commissioner, highlighted how smugglers and human traffickers exploit mass migration flows. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the ministers condemned efforts to divide the bloc following the events, noting that "the division heard over the weekend was not welcome and was exploited by foreign countries." He added that the discussions that morning were reassuring.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska commended Morocco's cooperation in resolving the recent crisis, describing the meeting as "completely constructive." He reiterated that out of the 72,000 individuals who entered Ceuta, 70,000 have since returned to Morocco, and insisted the Schengen zone remained secure. Special measures are in place in Ceuta requiring travelers to present documents before proceeding to mainland Europe.