The President of the European Commission pointed this Monday to the possible responsibility of Morocco in the massive arrival to Ceuta of between 50,000 and 60,000 people – according to data from the Ministry of the Interior – in a matter of hours. “No attempt to use irregular migration as a means to exert pressure on a member state can be accepted,” Ursula von der Leyen implicitly states in the letter she sent to the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, in response to the one he in turn sent her on Saturday to complain about the criticism from several EU countries of his foreign policy.
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Despite this, the head of the executive body of the 27 states argues in her letter that “technical and financial support” from the European Union to Rabat should be “improved,” as well as “strengthening early warning systems for border management.” In this regard, she emphasizes that the African country is “an important strategic partner,” especially in “efforts to combat human trafficking.”
From the Spanish government, on the other hand, they have so far avoided any hint of snub to Morocco and continue to place all responsibility for the “avalanche” on the mafias who, they argue, have made a “self-interested reading” of the Supreme Court ruling that ratifies the prohibition of hot returns if one arrives swimming to Ceuta and Melilla without crossing physical barriers. The Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, again highlighted this Monday that the neighboring country collaborated “from the first moment.”
Read more Europe retires Pedro Sánchez’s migration model
In her letter, Von der Leyen does highlight that both Spanish and Moroccan authorities “have acted efficiently and effectively, successfully preventing illegal movements towards mainland Spain and the rest of Europe.” “This decisive action demonstrates the commitment to enforce the current system and has been crucial to avoid further deterioration of the situation and the tragic and unnecessary loss of more human lives,” she states.
“Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response. And, in this sense, solidarity is fundamental,” adds the President of the European Commission, without mentioning the letter that, in turn, was also sent to her on Saturday the 22nd by 27 member states led by Italy and Denmark, in which they question Spain’s migration policy and demand that the EU take command. “Frontex is ready to strengthen its presence in Ceuta and other parts of the external borders when necessary. Europol and the European Union Asylum Agency are also ready to provide the support you consider necessary,” she tells Sánchez.
