Migrant surge in Ceuta prompts EU states to seek emergency talks, Italy reinstates border checks
After more than 70,000 Moroccans attempted to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, 22 EU member states called for an emergency meeting of interior ministers, while Italy has already suspended visa-free travel from Spain.
The Spanish enclave of Ceuta, bordering Morocco, has seen more than 70,000 people attempt to cross into European territory. Many of them swam across the narrow stretch of water separating Ceuta from the Moroccan coast.
EU states call for emergency meeting
In response, 22 European Union member states appealed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to urgently convene an emergency meeting of the bloc's interior ministers. The request reflects widespread concern among member states about the potential impact of the situation on the entire Schengen area.
Italy acts before the meeting
Even before the planned ministerial meeting could take place, Italy announced unilateral action, temporarily suspending visa-free travel from Spain and reinstating border controls. The move means Italy has introduced additional checks on people arriving from Spain, in an apparent effort to prevent migrants from moving further across Europe.
The events in Ceuta highlight questions about the protection of the EU's external borders and the ability of member states to agree on a joint response to crisis situations in which large numbers of people attempt to cross a border in an unregulated manner.
