The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday suggested that Morocco may bear some responsibility for the mass influx of between 50,000 and 60,000 people to Ceuta, according to data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, over several hours. “No attempt to use illegal migration as a means of pressure on a member state can be accepted,” von der Leyen stated in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. This letter was a response to Sánchez’s appeal on Saturday, which criticized the foreign policy of Spain by several EU countries.
At the same time, the head of the executive body of the 27 member states noted that the European Union must “strengthen technical and financial support” for Rabat, as well as “improve early warning systems for border management”. She emphasized that Morocco is an “important strategic partner”, particularly in “efforts to combat illegal migrant smuggling”.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government has refrained from accusing Morocco, instead blaming criminal networks for the “mass influx”. The government claims that these networks “interpreted in their own interests” the Supreme Court’s decision, which upheld the ban on the practice of so-called “hot returns” of migrants arriving in Ceuta and Melilla by swimming, without crossing physical barriers. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reiterated on Monday that Morocco had cooperated “from the first moment”.
EU Ready to Assist Spain
In her letter, von der Leyen noted that the Spanish and Moroccan authorities “acted effectively and efficiently, successfully preventing illegal movements to continental Spain and the rest of Europe”. She emphasized that “these decisive actions demonstrate a commitment to upholding the current system and were crucial in preventing further deterioration of the situation and the tragic and unnecessary loss of more human lives”. “Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response. And in this sense, solidarity is fundamental,” added the head of the European Commission, without mentioning the letter sent to her on Saturday by 22 of the 27 EU member states led by Italy and Denmark, which questioned Spain’s migration policy and called for EU coordination.
She also informed Pedro Sánchez that Frontex is prepared to enhance its presence in Ceuta and other sections of the EU’s external borders if necessary. Europol and the EU Asylum Agency are also ready to provide support as deemed necessary by the Spanish government.
Priorities for Strengthening Borders
In her response, von der Leyen mentioned the videoconference of the Justice and Home Affairs Council scheduled for Tuesday, calling it the “first step” towards “agreeing on a collective roadmap” based on “five priority areas”: preventing illegal migration by strengthening cooperation with EU partners and supporting countries of origin, enhancing external borders, developing early warning systems, combating illegal migrant smuggling networks, and improving returns.
“This incident clearly shows that we must do more to strengthen our borders at critical points, both through continuous monitoring and with physical barriers when necessary,” emphasized the head of the European Commission. She also added: “I also welcome the additional containment measures your government has taken to prevent new illegal arrivals, such as increased surveillance of the maritime border,” referring to the pneumatic barrier installed on Saturday on the coast of Ceuta, nearly two years after the administrative court’s decision regarding the practice of “hot returns”.
Sources in Moncloa emphasized that von der Leyen recognized the “effective management of the Spanish government during this crisis,” stating that it “acted decisively, without increasing the loss of lives,” and also “specifically proposed cooperation with Morocco”. They noted that the number of illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders has decreased by 55% over the past two years and by 37% since the beginning of 2026.
Source: El Mundo
