EU interior ministers closed ranks behind Spain after the migrant crisis in Ceuta, with Croatian Minister Davor Božinović stating that Croatia views this issue from a position of long-standing experience.
European Union interior ministers held an emergency meeting in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. After days of public recriminations and divisions, the meeting ended with a show of unity and support for Madrid, with Croatian Minister Davor Božinović also sharing his perspective on the situation.
Božinović emphasized that Croatia approaches the issue of migration with particular seriousness. "Croatia speaks on migration from a decade of experience," the minister said, as reported by Hina.
The three-hour meeting in Brussels was convened after tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish city on the African continent, on Friday. According to data presented by the Spanish side, of the 72,000 people who entered the enclave, 70,000 have since returned to Morocco. Večernji list cites somewhat different estimates, suggesting that between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants overcame protective barriers and swam to the city on Friday.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that smugglers and human traffickers had exploited the influx. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that the divisions of previous days had been harmful. "The divisions we heard over the weekend were unwelcome and were exploited by foreign countries. But what I heard this morning convinced me," Nuñez said.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska described the meeting as "completely constructive" and dismissed suggestions that the crisis had weakened his country's position. "Spain has emerged as a strong, reliable partner. This is not a matter of testosterone," he said. He also called on Italy to lift its suspension of air and sea links with Spain, calling it unjustified.
The crisis sparked strong reactions across Europe. As many as 22 EU member state leaders signed a letter calling for more decisive action against illegal arrivals. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded by calling for "understanding," rejecting attempts to turn his country into a scapegoat for problems at the Union's external border.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, who chaired the meeting, stressed that the EU's external borders are a shared responsibility. "The EU's external borders are our shared responsibility, and migration requires a united European response," he said. Ministers agreed on the need for a better early warning system, stronger coordination among capitals, and enhanced cooperation with third countries to prevent departures.
The European Commission is expected to consider further measures in September 2026, after examining the causes of the mass influx and the potential role of social media in its organization. Among the options under discussion is strengthening the role of the border and coast guard agency Frontex.
A particularly sensitive issue remains the role of Morocco, on whose cooperation Spain relies heavily in monitoring departures toward Ceuta. Commissioner Brunner declined to speculate on Rabat's role, while Minister Grande-Marlaska praised Moroccan cooperation in calming the situation, which echoed a similar incident in 2021 when Moroccan forces relaxed controls during a diplomatic dispute with Madrid.
