22 EU leaders demand urgent response to Ceuta crisis after 60,000 migrants cross
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Leaders of 22 EU states on Saturday demanded an urgent EU-wide response to the Ceuta migration crisis after 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco in two days. In a joint letter, they called for an emergency meeting of interior ministers, warning that uncontrolled mass crossings could undermine border integrity. The demand came even as Spain said most migrants had returned voluntarily and deployed troops to the enclave for the first time in years.
EU Leaders' Demand
The joint letter was sent to European Council President António Costa, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The 22 signatories, including Italy, Germany, Austria, and the Baltic states, expressed “serious concern” over the mass influx. They argued that allowing unregulated crossings would encourage smuggling networks and erode trust in common migration policy. The leaders praised Spain-Morocco cooperation that had already returned many migrants, and called on Ireland to urgently convene an interior ministers’ meeting to agree on a unified European response and support for Spain.
The Border Breach
Over two days, some 60,000 mostly young male migrants stormed the border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, a city of 85,000 residents. Spain’s Interior Ministry confirmed at least 67 people drowned attempting to swim to the enclave. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the breach an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity and, for the first time since 2021, deployed troops to restore order. By Friday evening, Madrid reported that tens of thousands had voluntarily returned to Morocco through the land border.
What's Next
The emergency interior ministers’ meeting is expected to be scheduled in the coming days, with Ireland yet to confirm a date. It remains unclear whether the EU can agree on a unified stance, given deep divisions over migration policy.
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22 EU leaders demand urgent response to Ceuta crisis after 60,000 migrants cross
