Brussels, Aug 4 (EFE).- The European Union said Tuesday that the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta was under control and called for stronger external border protection, closer cooperation with third countries and improved early-warning systems to respond to future migration surges.
Speaking after an extraordinary video-conference of EU interior ministers, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner said the bloc had successfully overcome the immediate crisis.
“For the moment, Europe, I believe, has definitively overcome this test,” Brunner said after the meeting, which was held following last week’s mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta.
According to Brunner, member states broadly agreed on the need to reinforce the European Union’s external borders, strengthen partnerships with third countries and improve the bloc’s ability to anticipate migration flows.
Among the measures discussed were enhanced early-warning systems, including improved intelligence gathering ahead of potential migration movements and monitoring of social media for signs of organised smuggling activity.
The meeting also addressed Italy’s decision to temporarily reintroduce air and sea border controls with Spain, a measure Rome said was necessary to protect national security.
Despite differences among member states over migration policy during the early stages of the crisis, ministers unanimously expressed solidarity with Spain during Tuesday’s meeting.
Brunner described the events as «a test of our European resilience» and of the European Union’s ability to protect its external borders.
«These past few days were a test of our European resilience, a test of the security of our external borders, and they clearly showed that there are actors with no regard for security or even for the lives of innocent people,» he said.
Morocco’s role
The Spanish government and the European Commission both praised Morocco’s cooperation in managing returns and strengthening border controls, while avoiding speculation about any possible Moroccan involvement in triggering the crisis.
Asked whether Morocco bore any responsibility for the events, Brunner declined to comment, citing an ongoing Spanish investigation in which Europol is expected to participate.
«I understand there is an ongoing investigation in Spain. Therefore, I cannot comment further. But there was, of course, some disinformation spread by human traffickers,» he said.
Brunner also noted that Morocco is included on the European Union’s list of safe countries of origin, allowing return procedures to be processed more quickly.
He said the voluntary return of around 70,000 migrants reflected «close cooperation between Spain, Morocco and the Commission in recent days.»
The commissioner also thanked the Spanish government and the authorities in Ceuta for restoring order and working closely with Morocco. EFE
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