The European Commission president has called for stronger EU borders after tens of thousands of people arrived in the Spanish territory of Ceuta, sparking a row between Madrid and other European countries.
In a letter to Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, Ursula von der Leyen said the incident showed the need to strengthen borders at critical points, including vigilant monitoring and physical barriers where needed. She praised Sánchez's swift handling, noting that order had been restored and the returns system worked.
Border crisis and response
Spain estimates about 69,500 migrants have returned to Morocco over four days, exceeding initial estimates of 50,000 arrivals. Authorities in Ceuta reported 88 deaths trying to reach the territory, while at least 11 deaths were recorded in Morocco.
Ceuta and Melilla are the EU's only land borders with Africa. They are outside the Schengen zone, so no onward free movement is permitted. EU interior ministers will hold emergency talks on Tuesday to draw lessons.
Five areas for action
Von der Leyen said the EU should focus on five areas: strengthening cooperation with non-EU countries, stronger external borders, early warning systems, dismantling smuggling networks, and boosting returns of people without the right to stay.
Italian media reported that Giorgia Meloni's government wanted to accelerate offshore migration centres, which Europe's top human rights expert recently said risked becoming 'human rights black holes'. The EU opened the door to such centres in June as part of a law aiming to increase deportations.
Divisions and criticism
Von der Leyen stressed Spain could access EU funds and Frontex support, though Madrid has not requested Frontex assistance. The crossings have exposed deep divisions, with Sánchez criticising other governments for failing to support Spain after Italy and Denmark led calls for its temporary exclusion from Schengen.
Italy and Denmark organised a letter signed by 20 other member states blaming the crisis on Sánchez's decision to regularise 500,000 migrants. Sánchez called such attitudes 'driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance or political interest'.
Regularisation and pull factors
EU states favouring tough approaches are expected to raise 'pull factors' on Tuesday. An EU diplomat noted concern that regularisation of 1.2 million people could paint a picture that the door is open. However, academic research has found no evidence of a pull effect from regularisation programmes.
Michele LeVoy, director of Picum, said regularisation programmes had been criticised for two decades, as member states fear secondary movement. She added that political games were being played over lives, and the crisis resulted from Europe's inaction on work permits and asylum systems.
Morocco relations
Von der Leyen described Morocco as an 'important strategic partner' in combating illegal migration. Officials said the Commission was looking to upgrade the EU's relationship with Morocco to a 'strategic and comprehensive partnership', similar to agreements with Egypt and Tunisia, which have been criticised by rights groups.
In her letter, von der Leyen wrote: 'On anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we could enhance border management early-warning systems and improve our technical and financial support to Morocco.'
