COPENHAGEN — Leaders from 22 of the European Union’s 27 member states called on Aug. 1 for urgent emergency talks after tens of thousands of migrants surged into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, urging a coordinated response to “prevent further uncontrolled crossings.”
The joint letter requested an immediate video meeting of EU interior ministers to agree fast action and bolster deterrence against illegal migration. Signatories, led by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, warned against the “instrumentalisation of migration” and said ministers should consider enhanced Frontex support and closer EU cooperation with Morocco.
EU foreign policy chief Ursula von der Leyen backed the move, calling for a “lessons learned” process to strengthen European resilience, while noting that “not a single person reached mainland Spain or the rest of the EU” during the episode. Ireland, holding the EU presidency, scheduled the ministers’ meeting for Aug. 4.
Spain reported that nearly all of the roughly 60,000 migrants who crossed since July 29 had left Ceuta and that the situation was returning to normal. The episode has reignited debates over Schengen rules and border controls, with several signatories urging that the bloc consider a range of measures, including temporary suspension of Schengen cooperation with Spain.