Sweden warns Spain over migration policy amid Ceuta crisis

Sweden's government has sharply criticized Spain's migration policies, arguing they have fueled the recent migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated that Spain should "regain control" of its borders and learn from Sweden's own experiences with large-scale migration a decade ago. Forssell warned that granting amnesties to individuals who do not qualify for asylum creates incentives for people without legitimate claims to travel to Europe. He is set to attend an emergency EU meeting on the situation in Ceuta, where around 60,000 people crossed from Morocco last week, resulting in over 70 confirmed deaths. Forssell drew parallels to Sweden's situation in 2014-2015, when the country received over 244,000 asylum seekers. "Sweden had a similar policy before, ten years ago when 250,000 people arrived in two years. We have learned from that. That's why we have changed our policy. But Spain has gone in a completely different direction," Forssell said. He added that many had warned of consequences, which have now materialized. Sweden has offered support to Spain through the EU's border agency Frontex, should Spain request assistance in regaining control.

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We warned about the risks with this. When you make such large amnesties for people who do not have asylum grounds, then it creates incentives for those people who do not have asylum grounds to go to Europe.