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Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner urged the European Union (EU) on Thursday to leverage its trade and visa policies to force stronger border cooperation from Morocco following a massive spike in irregular arrivals.
The push follows an event last week where approximately 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, Spain’s enclave in North Africa, marking one of the largest single entry events into EU territory in recent history.
Addressing a European Parliament committee meeting, Brunner stressed, “One very important reminder from Ceuta is that to have control, we must cooperate with our neighbours, of course, but as long as control depends on the goodwill of one neighbouring state, we remain vulnerable.”
While the EU frequently relies on financial packages to incentivise North African nations to restrict migration, critics contend that this reliance gives transit countries political leverage over the bloc.
Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesus Vivas reported to lawmakers that around 100 people died during the recent border breach, leaving between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants currently in the enclave.
Vivas strongly criticised reliance on external border management, stating, “I reiterate this today, having seen what I have seen: Morocco is not a reliable country.”
He further demanded that European authorities directly oversee Europe’s land border with Africa rather than delegating responsibility to neighbouring governments.
