The Government faces the Ceuta crisis alone despite the European Union's offer of help

The migratory crisis in Ceuta, with the massive entry of migrants into Spanish territory, completes one week. Since the event occurred, the European Union has spoken out about its collaboration with the Government of Spain. In this regard, the European Commission (EC) announced that it is evaluating granting the country economic aid to cooperate with the management of the city.

Pedro Sánchez's Executive sent a document to Europe detailing the situation in Ceuta. Thus, community spokesman Guillaume Mercier explained that the document was being analyzed "very quickly" to provide the necessary aid. However, for the possible European collaboration to take place, Spain must submit a formal request.  

Europe congratulates Spain's management

The massive arrival of people from Morocco to Ceuta has led this Tuesday the migratory crisis to the extraordinary Council of Interior Ministers of the European Union, which was attended by the Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Subsequently, at the press conference at the end of the meeting, the minister acknowledged the entry of 72,000 people irregularly into Ceuta and that 70,000 have already returned to Morocco.

On the other hand, he assured that the tone of his European counterparts has been "absolutely constructive" and asserted: "The extraordinary work and the effective and immediate response of the Spanish authorities have been recognized". In this same vein, he conveyed that "it has been clear that the Schengen area has not been violated".  

Marlaska reiterated to the media his "absolute confidence" in the National Intelligence Center (CNI) but explained that there was "no report" that warned of the crisis in Ceuta. In addition, he assured that the Government was already working days before on the installation of a pneumatic barrier and buoys after the Supreme Court ruling.  

"Deep concern" over the reaction of European governments

After the events recorded in the autonomous city, Sánchez sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, requesting an extraordinary meeting "with urgency". In the letter, he also expressed his "deep concern" about the reaction shown by some European governments to the migratory crisis.

Representing Spain, the Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has defended before his counterparts the Spanish migratory policy, which he defines as "preventive, not short-term, that offers stable and solid results, thanks to cooperation with countries of origin and transit, such as Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia and, also, Morocco". In addition, he insisted that Morocco is "a loyal partner with whom it maintains close collaboration based on mutual trust" and reiterated that "Spain's commitment to its European obligations cannot be doubted or Spanish diligence in migratory matters questioned".

He has also expressed his confidence that the "increases" in irregular arrivals will be "redirected" and will defend that Spain "will face any crisis, to which all first-entry countries of the European Union are exposed."

The meeting is held after some community partners questioned Spain's management of the crisis. Faced with these criticisms, Von der Leyen responded to Sánchez highlighting Spain and Morocco's "effective management" and emphasizing the need to offer a "common European response", united and supportive. Meanwhile, the Government maintains around 3,000 agents of the State Security Forces and Corps and the Army deployed in Ceuta to guarantee security in the city.