Ankara: The European Union announced that there will be no further onward movement from Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa, after migrants who recently crossed the border were returned to Morocco. According to Anadolu Agency, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, stated that Spain has confirmed the situation in Ceuta is under control, and the Schengen area remains unaffected.

Brunner shared these developments following an emergency video conference with EU interior ministers, emphasizing the solidarity expressed with Spain and the quick actions taken by Spanish authorities to manage the situation at the EU's external border. He highlighted that between 50,000 and 60,000 irregular migrants had entered Ceuta the previous week.

The commissioner outlined the importance of implementing the EU's migration and asylum rules fully, which include border screening, expedited asylum procedures, and quicker returns. He elaborated on a five-point plan from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which aims to strengthen cooperation with partner countries, enhance returns, bolster external border protection, improve early-warning systems to counter disinformation, and fight against migrant smuggling networks.

When questioned about Italy's temporary suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain, Brunner noted that any measures taken must be proportional and temporary. He emphasized ongoing negotiations with Morocco for a comprehensive partnership agreement, underscoring that migration remains a critical aspect of these discussions.

Brunner dismissed claims that the negotiations were influenced by the recent events in Ceuta, pointing instead to criminal smuggling networks and online disinformation as primary factors behind the recent crossings. "What we saw was an instrumentalization by human traffickers and smugglers. That's for sure," he said.