EU Commissioner Warns Spain and Italy on Borders

Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, pointed out in an interview with El Mundo that Spain's measures in response to the migration crisis in Ceuta must not affect free movement within the Schengen Area. The statement came amid a dispute between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Rome introduced border controls for travelers from Spain in response to more than 70,000 people entering Ceuta. When Italy refused to lift the measure, Spain reinstated border controls for arrivals from Italy.

Brunner emphasized that those affected must undergo registration and security checks, and that individuals without the right to reside must be swiftly returned. He described the loss of life in Ceuta as a reminder of the dangers posed by human trafficking networks.

At the same time, he called on the European Parliament and the Council to swiftly adopt legislation aimed at combating human traffickers and harmonizing sanctions.

The Austrian commissioner also criticized the Spanish government's mass regularization of migrants. Although he noted that no direct criticism was voiced at the meeting of interior ministers and that he sees no direct link to the incidents in Ceuta, he emphasized that such an approach is "not a good sign for the rest of Europe". According to him, in Spain's case, these are often citizens of Latin America who share a common language and culture, but Europe must act in a coordinated manner.

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