Spain Attacks Selfish Response of Some EU Nations Over Ceuta Crisis
Ninoda.com – Spain attacks selfish response of some EU countries following the mass migrant crossings into Ceuta. Spanish officials have condemned what they describe as an unfair reaction from certain European partners after approximately 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave from Morocco. The situation has sparked diplomatic tensions across the continent as Spain works to manage the crisis while facing criticism from fellow member states.
Diplomatic Fallout Across Europe
Italy temporarily suspended the EU’s border-free Schengen arrangement with Spain, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the scenes “shocking.” Finland and Denmark backed Italy’s move, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership. Spain attacks selfish response of some governments that have chosen to criticize rather than support during this critical moment.
Twenty-two of the EU’s 27 countries also called for emergency talks in an open letter, citing “serious concerns” regarding the developments in Ceuta. The nations welcomed that Spain and Morocco are cooperating closely to ensure the swift return of migrants. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he had “serious concerns” about some European governments in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
He emphasized that the Spanish government had fully restored control over the border and prevented any “unauthorised onward movement towards continental Europe” in less than 48 hours. While most nations showed “support and solidarity,” Sánchez said other European governments had chosen to attack Spain, “driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest.” He pointed out that Ceuta was not part of the Schengen area. “The European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction,” he said.
Also on Saturday, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to Sánchez and the UK was “providing what help we can.” Spain says it has fully regained control of its border following the mass crossings into Ceuta. There were chaotic scenes on Thursday in Ceuta as border controls in the North African enclave apparently broke down. But in a news conference on Saturday, Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told reporters the situation in Ceuta had almost returned to normal.
“Almost all of [the migrants] have already left Ceuta,” the minister said, adding that businesses had now reopened. “The situation has been almost entirely reversed.” He also said Spain had started to establish an inflatable maritime barrier to prevent further illegal migrant entry. Spanish police officers and soldiers escort a large group of migrants in Ceuta to the border to take them out of Spain. But while the situation on the ground appears to be easing, political and diplomatic fallout is rippling through Madrid and other capitals.
On Thursday, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media that such “uncontrolled immigration” was a threat to national security, before suspending the Schengen zone agreement with Spain for a month. The Schengen Area is a system of open borders spanning 29 European countries that have abolished controls at their common borders. Spain responded by summoning the Italian ambassador to Madrid, while its foreign minister said he expected “European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery.”
Finland’s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said she had started preparations for restoring internal border checks “if the need arises.” She also urged “all European countries” to support Meloni’s move. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also urged the EU to “consider all options, including a suspension of Schengen co-operation.”
France has tightened checks on its border with Spain and said it would increase its police presence by Saturday. Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro said he was considering reinforcing border checks. Von der Leyen said the images from Ceuta were “unacceptable.” “We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules,” she said on social media. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he “supports Spain’s intention not to allow illegal migrants onto the European continent,” and demanded that Morocco “take back illegal migrants immediately.” In the US, the State Department said the incident was a direct result of Spain’s border management challenges.
