More needs to be done to strengthen the European Union’s external borders at critical crossing points, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in a letter seen by Reuters.
In the letter, dated August 3, von der Leyen also reaffirmed the EU’s support for Spain in addressing irregular migration, while stressing that additional measures are needed.
The letter follows last week’s mass migrant surge, during which thousands crossed the Moroccan border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. At least 67 people lost their lives during the incident.
“In cooperation with Spain, particularly regarding Ceuta and Melilla, we can strengthen early warning systems for border management and enhance our technical and financial support for Morocco,” von der Leyen wrote in the letter.
