EU Pledges More Support for Spain After Ceuta Influx

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union must do more to strengthen the protection of its external borders at its most vulnerable entry points, while reaffirming the bloc's commitment to supporting Spain in tackling illegal migration.

Her remarks came in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez following last week's mass influx of migrants across the Moroccan border into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa. At least 67 people died during the crisis.

“In co-operation ​with Spain, ​especially ⁠on anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we ​could enhance border management early-warning ​systems ⁠and improve our technical and financial support to Morocco”, von der Leyen wrote.

Von der Leyen said additional measures are needed to reinforce the European Union's external borders and improve the bloc's ability to respond to future migration crises.

(Reuters, bak)