Minister Božinović says EU member states are increasingly accepting the stance Croatia has been advocating for nearly a decade, and the crisis in the Spanish enclave has shown how quickly the collapse of one border point can trigger a political conflict across the entire Union.
The migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has prompted the European Union to respond in a more coordinated manner, including a stronger role for the Frontex agency and new investments in protecting external borders. Following a meeting of European ministers, Davor Božinović, head of Croatia's Interior Ministry, stated that member states increasingly support the position Croatia has been advocating for almost ten years.
With the support of Croatia and 21 other member states, Spain presented the situation in Ceuta as a security issue for the entire Union. This confirmed that pressure on one country's border is not merely its internal problem but a shared responsibility for all.
In the coming weeks, an analysis of the circumstances that led to the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta is expected to be completed. The results will be considered in early October 2026, and subsequently at the level of the European Council. Special attention will be paid to the impact of social media and fake news that may have encouraged people to head toward Spanish territory.
For Croatia, the European Commission's announcement that it will open a discussion on safe third countries is particularly important. In Božinović's view, anyone who passes through several safe countries on their way to the EU should seek protection in the first such country, rather than choosing their preferred European destination. This line of thinking distinguishes those who genuinely need protection from those who come primarily for economic reasons.
While emphasizing humanity toward those in danger, this does not mean that European countries should allow smugglers to decide who can cross their borders. This year, the Croatian police have arrested 698 individuals involved in people smuggling, indicating that illegal migration is not a random occurrence but an activity of organized gangs that profit from others' misfortune and often endanger migrants' lives.
The EU will further invest in radars, surveillance systems, and infrastructure at external borders. As stated, Ceuta has demonstrated how quickly the collapse of one border point can lead to a political crisis within the entire Union. Minister Božinović also drew attention to the lenient treatment of illegal weapons by the judiciary. Despite citizens voluntarily handing over hundreds of thousands of weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition, as many as 93 percent of caught offenders receive suspended sentences. The state can hardly expect responsible behavior from citizens if it does not simultaneously send a sufficiently stern message to those who continue to hide dangerous weapons.
