Other EU Member States in a Joint Letter Expressing Concern Over Spain's Handling of the Migrant Surge in Ceuta, Where Tens of Thousands

The letter, addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, raises concerns about Spain's ability to protect its borders against illegal migration. It was signed by leaders from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Estonia. The joint communique, initiated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and published Saturday, states: "We cannot allow uncontrolled mass crossings, the instrumentalization of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible.

That a migrant's illegal entry can turn into legal stay. While nearly all of the migrants have returned to Morocco, with none crossing into the EU mainland, the 22 leaders raised "serious concern" over the threat to the EU's frontier and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's move to grant legal status to up to 1.2 million unauthorized migrants, a move they say fueled the crisis. The letter added: "We have a duty to effectively deter and relentlessly combat illegal migration, by coordinating our action, strengthening our external borders and addressing all policies that can serve as pull factors, such as the regularization of [a] very large number of irregular migrants.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the situation "deeply concerning, adding: "Estonia stands in full solidarity with Spain as it faces unprecedented migration pressure. Spain has both the right and the responsibility to protect its borders – and the European Union's external border. No one has the right to enter the European Union without abiding by our common rules.

Respect for those rules is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the Schengen Area. Von der Leyen confirmed receipt of the letter, noting on social media: "The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable. We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules.

Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow.

The Commission said it is working closely with Spain and Morocco toward a strategic partnership and rejected excluding Spain from Schengen, noting no migrants moved from Ceuta into the rest of the EU. The heads of government proposed a video meeting of interior ministers Tuesday, and Ireland, holding the EU presidency, announced the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council will also meet Tuesday. POLITICO reported Sánchez hit back, calling his EU partners' response "selfish" and "unlawful.

Madrid rejected claims that the legalisation program caused the crisis, saying none of those who entered Ceuta illegally meet its conditions. Sánchez also rejected accusations Spain cannot protect the EU's external borders, citing data showing Spain recorded half as many illegal border crossings as Italy between 2021 and 2026.