Ankara: Spain has formally requested emergency funding from the European Union to address the escalating migration situation in its North African enclave of Ceuta, as announced by the European Commission on Tuesday. 'We have now, namely yesterday, received a formal request for emergency funding, and we are now working on assessing their request as a priority and with a view to taking a swift decision,' stated Markus Lammert, a commission spokesman, during a daily news briefing in Brussels.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lammert emphasized that the commission is closely monitoring the situation and remains 'fully engaged at all levels' to ensure the security of the EU's external borders. He highlighted that the current scenario differs from the events at the beginning of August, noting successful prevention of new attempts to enter Ceuta through cooperation between Spanish and Moroccan authorities. However, he acknowledged that significant challenges persist, particularly with several thousand people still present in Ceuta, and stressed the urgency of addressing these issues.

Lammert further stated that the primary focus is on ensuring the swift return of all individuals who remain illegally in Ceuta. The commission praised Spain's efforts to enhance coordination in response to the crisis and expressed readiness to offer further EU support, including assistance from EU agencies.

In response to inquiries about temporary border controls introduced by Italy and Spain, Lammert confirmed that the commission has received Schengen notifications from both countries. These notifications are temporary and will remain effective until early September, with the commission maintaining contact with both member states.

The Spanish government's official estimate reports that approximately 72,000 people irregularly crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30-31. This unprecedented influx briefly brought the number of migrants almost equivalent to the enclave's population, prompting sharp criticism of Madrid from other European governments. A group of 22 EU countries signed an open letter criticizing Spain's relatively open migration policies, labeling them as a 'pull factor.'