Meloni and 21 EU leaders call for Ceuta summit; clash with Sanchez

A significant rift has emerged among European Union leaders regarding the migrant crisis in Ceuta, with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leading a bloc of 21 nations in calling for an "urgent" meeting of interior ministers. Their joint letter to Brussels emphasizes the need for a "European response" and advocates for reinforcing or temporarily reintroducing border controls.

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The defense of the EU's external borders is a shared responsibility of all member states, not just those on the Union's front line.

This position directly contrasts with Spain's approach. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a separate letter, also requested an urgent meeting but sharply criticized Italy's reaction to the situation. He deemed Italy's actions "unforgivable" and suggested they were motivated by "ignorance or political interests." Sanchez argued that defending the EU's external borders is a shared responsibility, not solely that of frontline states, and highlighted that Spain's border is considered one of the least permeable in the EU according to Frontex.

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Their reaction was asymmetrical, unlike the majority of governments that have shown us support and solidarity, offering assistance, it attacked Spain, which according to Frontex, is one of the least permeable external borders of the European Union.

The letter spearheaded by Meloni, co-signed by leaders including Denmark's Mette Frederiksen, gained traction rapidly, with 20 countries joining by Friday. The initiative reflects growing European concern over mass arrivals, exemplified by the situation in Ceuta, which has stirred public opinion across the continent. The signatories also pointed to regularization policies, like those implemented by the Spanish government, as potential "pull factors" for irregular migration.

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A coordinated, rapid, and effective European response on all fronts, including those choices, like regularizations, that can constitute attraction factors for irregular migration.

While acknowledging Spain's efforts with Morocco for rapid repatriations, the 22 nations expressed willingness to support these efforts using available EU tools, such as Frontex. They also proposed reassessing border control measures if necessary. Meloni hailed this as an "important signal," asserting that the line Italy has long advocated is now gaining broader European consensus. This stance aligns with sentiments from Italy's Lega and Forza Italia parties, with Antonio Tajani referencing Silvio Berlusconi's past calls for "regular and fully integrated" migration.

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The line that Italy has been supporting for some time is now shared by an increasing number of European nations.