VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has joined 21 other European Union leaders in calling for an immediate EU response to the migration crisis in Ceuta, with Prime Minister Robert Abela signing a joint letter urging coordinated action.
Setting out its position, Malta described irregular migration as a shared European challenge requiring solidarity and a fair distribution of responsibility among Member States.
The government said the EU already has the necessary tools and agencies to combat migrant trafficking, while insisting that Member States must retain control over who is allowed to enter and remain in their territory.
Malta also expressed full solidarity with Spain and praised cooperation between Madrid and Morocco, which enabled the rapid return of most irregular arrivals.
While urging close monitoring of developments, Malta argued that the priority should be coordinated European support, stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and measures to prevent secondary movements of migrants across the bloc.
The letter calls on the Irish Presidency to convene an urgent meeting of EU Home Affairs Ministers to strengthen support for Spain, including reinforced Frontex operations and a review of EU cooperation with Morocco.
The leaders warned that human-trafficking networks are exploiting the situation to challenge the EU’s external borders and stressed the need for a united response to irregular migration.
Spanish authorities said an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta between Wednesday and Friday, mostly by sea from Morocco. More than 48,000 were returned, while at least 67 people died attempting the crossing.
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