Spain Criticizes EU Response to Ceuta Migrant Crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has demanded an urgent meeting of interior ministers of the 27-nation European Union, criticizing the response of some European governments to the migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. In identical letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Micheal Martin, the prime minister of Ireland, which holds the EU presidency, Sanchez described the stance and reaction of some European governments as "selfish, polarizing and unlawful."

Sanchez wrote that such an attitude, "driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance or political interest," is contrary to European law, humanitarian law, and the principles of solidarity that bind the EU together. The letters were sent amid a political crisis triggered by the arrival of more than 50,000 people into Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday and Friday this week.

At least 67 people died in an attempt to cross a breakwater barrier, according to authorities. By Friday evening, over 48,000 people had voluntarily returned to Morocco, the authorities confirmed. However, the incident sparked a political crisis for Sanchez's government as some fellow EU countries were found to be igniting the issue, with calls to suspend Spain from the Schengen free-movement zone.

Italy was at the forefront of such calls, suspending its Schengen arrangement with Spain. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani accused Madrid of encouraging human trafficking by implementing a plan to legalize the status of more than a million refugees and asylum seekers. In response, Spain's foreign minister described Tajani's claim as "partisan populism."

The crisis has highlighted tensions within the EU over migration policy, with Spain facing criticism from some member states while also dealing with the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the influx. According to Mehr News Agency, the situation remains a point of contention between Spain and its EU partners.