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Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings - BBC

Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings - BBC

World8/1/20261 min read

Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen arrangement with Spain as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called scenes in Ceuta "shocking".

✨ Key Highlights

  • Spain has denounced what Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the "selfish, polarising and unlawful" reaction of some EU countries to the arrival of roughly 60,000 migrants from Morocco into the enclave of Ceuta on 30 July.
  • Spanish officials say nearly all the migrants have since left Ceuta, while Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported on Saturday that the death toll from the surge in crossings had risen to at least 67.
  • Italy temporarily suspended the EU's Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain, with PM Giorgia Meloni calling the scenes "shocking"; Finland and Denmark supported the move, and Czech PM Andrej Babiš urged suspending Spain's Schengen membership.
  • EU interior ministers are due to meet Tuesday by video conference, after Sánchez called for urgent talks stressing that external border security is a "shared responsibility," and 22 of the 27 member states requested emergency discussions in an open letter.
  • In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Sánchez said Spain had restored full border control and prevented any unauthorised movement towards continental Europe within 48 hours, and noted Ceuta lies outside the Schengen area.
  • Grande-Marlaska said the situation in Ceuta had almost returned to normal with businesses reopening, and Spain has begun installing an inflatable maritime barrier to deter further crossings, while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to Sánchez and offered assistance.
While most had shown "support and solidarity", Sanchez said other European governments had chosen to attack Spain, "driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest", and pointed out